Question 1

Which type of signal-detection error becomes more likely when someone is not expecting the stimulus

Accepted Answer

When someone is not expecting a stimulus, it is more likely that they will fail to detect it, resulting in a miss. This is known as a "false negative" error in signal detection theory. Other types of errors, such as false alarms (selecting a response when there is no stimulus present) or accurate hits (correctly detecting the stimulus when it is present) may be less likely when not expecting a stimulus.

Question 2

In signal detection,which type of error is more likely if you are expecting the stimulus to occur

Accepted Answer

The answer of In signal detection,which type of error is...

Question 3

On New Year's Day,thousands of Canadians celebrate with a "polar bear" swim.They jump into an ice-cold body of water at a lake or seaside.Needless to say,most people jump back out again within seconds as the water is shockingly cold at this time of year.Some peole elect to stay in the water longer,and notice that while the water remains cold,it feels less cold with the passage of time.What is this a result of

Accepted Answer

This is an example of sensory adaptation, where the body adjusts to the cold over time and it no longer feels as cold.

Question 4

Yaniv has been working for the past two hours,and the hum of his laptop computer that he found so annoying when he started no longer bothers him.Which process is illustrated by the change in Yaniv's sensitivity to the laptop noise

Accepted Answer

The change in Yaniv's sensitivity to the laptop noise is illustrating sensory adaptation, which is the process by which our sensory receptors adapt to constant stimulation and become less sensitive over time. In this case, Yaniv's auditory receptors have adapted to the constant sound of the laptop, and he no longer finds it bothersome.

Question 5

Joan was sitting talking with some friends when she suddenly left the room to check on her baby.She was sure she heard little Emily cry out,but when she checked,Emily was sleeping peacefully.What would you call Joan's response based on signal-detection theory

Accepted Answer

Joan's response is a false alarm because she perceived a signal (crying) when there was none. This is a common occurrence in signal detection theory where there is a high level of sensitivity towards detecting a signal, but it can also lead to false alarms in the absence of a signal.

Question 6

What aspect of perception is affected by the wavelength of light

Accepted Answer

The wavelength of light affects the perceived color. Different wavelengths of light are associated with different colors on the visible spectrum.

Question 7

What will eventually occur if you stare at an unchanging image for a long time

Accepted Answer

Staring at an unchanging image for a long time can lead to sensory adaptation, which means that your sensory receptors become less responsive to the stimulus. This can cause the image to fade or disappear from your perception.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT explained by sensory adaptation

Accepted Answer

Sensory adaptation refers to the phenomenon of the sensory receptors becoming less responsive to a constant stimulus over time. Options A, B, and C all involve getting used to a constant stimulus over time, which is an example of sensory adaptation. Option D, feeling no sensation in a foot that has lost circulation, is not related to sensory adaptation.

Question 9

Jerry,a nuclear operator,must monitor 50 different gauges that keep track of various aspects of the nuclear reactor.Which theory provides the most specific predictions for Jerry's likelihood of detecting any changes or problems

Accepted Answer

Signal-detection theory provides the most specific predictions for detecting changes or problems in a complex and dynamic environment, such as a nuclear reactor. It takes into account the background noise, and the individual's sensitivity to detecting a signal, which can vary based on factors such as fatigue, experience, and motivation. Fechner's law, Weber's law, and Pragnanz are not directly related to predicting an individual's ability to detect changes in a complicated situation like nuclear reactor monitoring.

Question 10

Sonja put on a new watch this morning and found it uncomfortable because it was so much heavier than her old watch.However,by noon,Sonja has forgotten that she is even wearing the watch.Which process is illustrated by the change in Sonja's sensitivity to the pressure of the watch

Accepted Answer

The change in Sonja's sensitivity to the pressure of the watch is due to sensory adaptation. This is a process in which sensory receptors become less responsive to constant or repetitive stimuli, leading to a decreased awareness of the stimuli over time. In this case, Sonja's sensory receptors for pressure in the skin have adapted to the constant pressure of the new watch, causing her to forget that she is even wearing it.

Question 11

Your criterion for "hearing" mysterious noises at night may change after a rash of burglaries in your neighbourhood.Which of the following best explains this change

Accepted Answer

Signal-detection theory suggests that our criterion for detecting a stimulus is influenced by factors such as motivation and expectation. In this scenario, the increased awareness of burglaries in the neighborhood would increase the observer's motivation to detect any mysterious noises, which would result in a lower criterion for hearing such noises.

Question 12

Dalton was sitting in the hallway outside his chemistry class.Some students said they thought they could smell smoke,but Dalton didn't smell anything.When they all checked the lab to see if there were any problems,everything was fine and nothing was burning.What would you call Dalton's response based on signal-detection theory

Accepted Answer

Dalton's response is a "correct rejection" because he did not perceive a signal (smoke) when there was none present, which aligns with the actual situation where nothing was burning.

Question 13

You enter a room and notice a distinctive new odour.After a bit of time,you no longer notice the odour.What phenomenon does this illustrate

Accepted Answer

This phenomenon is known as sensory adaptation, which is the process by which our sensory receptors become less responsive to a continuous or constant stimulus over time. When we are exposed to a new odour, our olfactory system sends signals to the brain to register the scent. However, if the odour remains constant, the brain gradually stops registering it as significant and we no longer notice it.

Question 14

Which statement best describes subliminal perception

Accepted Answer

Subliminal perception was once considered pseudoscience, but recent laboratory studies have provided evidence that it can have some effects on behaviour, although the extent of its impact is still a matter of debate among scientists. The other options are either false or exaggerations.

Question 15

Which term refers to the eye structure which focuses the light rays falling on the retina

Accepted Answer

The lens is the eye structure that focuses the light rays falling on the retina. The cornea and iris also play important roles in the eye's functioning, but they do not specifically focus light rays onto the retina. The term "camera" is not typically used in reference to the eye's structure.

Question 16

What have researchers typically found when they have attempted to demonstrate subliminal perception effects in the real world

Accepted Answer

Research on subliminal perception effects in the real world has generally shown that these effects are very small and of little practical importance.

Question 17

What is sensory adaptation

Accepted Answer

Sensory adaptation refers to the decline in sensitivity to a constant or repetitive stimulus over time. This can occur in all of our senses including touch, taste, smell, hearing, and vision. As the stimulus remains present, our brain starts to filter it out and we become less aware of it.

Question 18

What affects our perception of the brightness of a colour

Accepted Answer

The amplitude of light waves affects our perception of the brightness of a colour, as higher amplitude waves are perceived as brighter.

Question 19

What does "subliminal" mean

Accepted Answer

"Subliminal" refers to something that is below the threshold of conscious awareness.

Question 20

Jose is wearing a blue shirt,and Evan is wearing a red shirt.What is the difference between the two shirts,in terms of light waves

Accepted Answer

Blue light has shorter wavelengths compared to red light, so Jose's shirt reflects shorter light waves than Evan's.

Quiz 4: A: Sensation and Perception