Question 1

The Magic Eye is a best-selling book of stereograms. Each stereogram is a two-dimensional image that, when properly viewed, depicts a three-dimensional image, like the rabbits in the stereogram entitled "Rustling Hares" in Chapter 3. Now that you have read Chapter 3, you can explain to your friends that stereograms are based upon the perceptual principle of:

Accepted Answer

Stereograms are based upon the perceptual principle of binocular disparity, which relates to the differences in the images seen by the two eyes. This difference allows the brain to interpret the depth and 3D image hidden in the seemingly random pattern of the stereogram.

Question 2

Because our eyes are set a couple of inches apart, a slightly different image of an object is cast on the retina of each eye. When the two retinal images of an object in view are very different, we perceive that the object is close by, and when the two retinal images are nearly identical, we perceive that the object is far away. This depth perception cue is called:

Accepted Answer

This depth perception cue is called binocular disparity, as it refers to the difference in retinal images between the two eyes. The brain uses this difference to create a three-dimensional perception of the world, allowing us to perceive depth and distance.

Question 3

As you drive down the highway, a child in the back seat asks why the tall buildings downtown are moving so slowly when the roadside is moving so quickly. Because you have read your psychology text, you are able to answer her question by responding that this is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The child's question pertains to the perception of motion, which is an important aspect of motion parallax. Motion parallax is the phenomenon where closer objects appear to move faster than distant objects when viewed from a moving point of view. In this case, the buildings in the distance are farther away and hence appear to move more slowly (relative to the roadside), while the roadside appears to move quickly because it is closer.

Question 4

You notice a red car and a white car parked next to each other in a parking lot. You perceive the red car as being closer to you because it blocks part of the image of the white car. This is an example of which perceptual cue?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of the perceptual cue of overlap, where objects that are closer to us block part of the view of objects that are farther away. In this case, the red car is blocking part of the image of the white car, making it appear farther away.

Question 5

Feedback from the muscles of the eye can help us judge the distance of an object, because the lens of the eye thickens when we shift our focus from a distant object to a nearby object. This visual cue is called:

Accepted Answer

Accommodation is the process by which the lens of the eye changes shape to focus on objects at different distances. When we look at a nearby object, the muscles in our eyes contract, causing the lens to thicken and bring the image into focus. This change in the shape of the lens provides a visual cue to the brain that helps us estimate the distance of an object.

Question 6

We tend to interpret visual stimuli in the way that produces the best, simplest, and most stable possible shape. This tendency is called _____, and the Gestalt psychologists believed that this law encompassed all the other Gestalt principles.

Accepted Answer

The law described in the question is the law of Prägnanz, also known as the law of simplicity or the law of good figure. It refers to our tendency to interpret visual information in the simplest and most organized way possible. The Gestalt psychologists believed that this law was the most fundamental of all the principles they discovered.

Question 7

Flying in an airplane, you look out your window and notice that everything on the ground far below looks hazy and blurred. This is an example of which depth perception cue?

Accepted Answer

Aerial perspective is the depth perception cue that refers to the haziness and blurriness of objects as they get further away from the observer. This is typically caused by atmospheric interference such as air pollution, moisture, and fog. The other depth perception cues listed (motion parallax, relative size, and linear perspective) do not directly relate to the visual distortion caused by atmospheric conditions.

Question 8

A stereogram is a picture that uses the principle of _____ to create the perception of a three-dimensional image.

Accepted Answer

A stereogram creates the perception of a three-dimensional image by using the principle of binocular disparity. This is when each eye sees a slightly different image, and the brain combines them to create the illusion of depth.

Question 9

Distance cues that require the use of only one eye are called _____ cues.

Accepted Answer

Monocular cues are distance cues that can be perceived with the use of only one eye, such as perspective, texture gradient, and linear perspective. Kinesthetic cues involve sensing the position and movement of one's own body parts, while binocular cues require the use of both eyes to perceive depth and distance. Vestibular cues relate to the sense of balance and spatial orientation.

Question 10

If you look at a faraway street sign with first your left eye and then your right eye, the images you see look virtually identical. But if you look at your finger held just in front of your nose one eye at a time, the two images you see look very different. This phenomenon is an example of which distance cue?

Accepted Answer

Binocular disparity refers to the difference in images between the two eyes due to their different positions on the head. This disparity is more noticeable when looking at objects that are close, like a finger in front of the nose, compared to faraway objects like a street sign.

Question 11

Because our eyes are set a couple of inches apart, a slightly different image of an object is cast on the retina of each eye. When the two retinal images of an object are very different, we perceive that the object is _____, and when the two retinal images of an object are nearly identical, we perceive that the object is _____.

Accepted Answer

When the two retinal images of an object are very different, our brain perceives it to be farther away, while when the images are nearly identical, the brain perceives it to be closer. This perceptual phenomenon is known as stereopsis, which is the ability of the brain to interpret depth and 3D from the slightly different images projected on each retina. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

Question 12

Distance cues that involve both eyes are called _____ cues.

Accepted Answer

Binocular cues require both eyes to perceive depth and distance, whereas monocular cues only require one eye. Telescopic and microscopic are not relevant to this context.

Question 13

As you walk on the beach, every detail of the rocks, shells, and sand beneath your feet seems crisp and distinct. As you look farther down the beach, however, the details of the ground in the distance seem fuzzy and blurred. Because of the depth perception cue of _____, you perceive the ground beneath your feet to be much closer than the ground that extends into the distance.

Accepted Answer

Texture gradient is a depth perception cue where surfaces with a detailed texture appear closer, while those with less detail appear farther away.

Question 14

Standing on the commuter train platform, you glance down the tracks to see if the train is coming. As you do, you notice that the parallel rails of the train track appear to come together and meet in the distance. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The phenomenon described is an example of linear perspective, which occurs when parallel lines or edges appear to converge as they recede into the distance. This visual cue is used by artists to create the illusion of depth and distance in two-dimensional works.

Question 15

The ability to perceive the three dimensions of an object, along with its distance from you, is called:

Accepted Answer

Depth perception is the ability to perceive the third dimension (depth) of an object, as well as its distance from the observer. Texture gradient, linear parallax, and relative perception may contribute to depth perception, but do not fully encompass it.

Question 16

When you look at a photograph or artwork, you use a variety of visual cues to judge the distance of objects. The image depicts the author of your textbook and his daughter in Estes Park, Colorado. Pick the alternative that correctly labels the monocular depth perception cues in the photograph.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When you look at a photograph or...

Question 17

When you look at a photograph or artwork, you use a variety of visual cues to judge the distance of objects. The image depicts the author of your textbook and his daughter in Estes Park, Colorado. Which letter points to the visual cue of texture gradient?

Accepted Answer

Texture gradient is the visual cue where texture becomes less detailed as it moves farther away. In this image, you can see that the trees in the background (pointed to by letter B) have less detailed texture than the trees in the foreground. This is a clear example of texture gradient.

Question 18

The ability to accurately gauge the distance to your coffee cup as you reach for it is called:

Accepted Answer

Depth perception is the ability to perceive the world in three dimensions and to judge the distance of objects, which is necessary for accurately reaching for objects like a coffee cup.

Question 19

Two identical model cars are parked at the far end of the parking lot. You are able to determine that one of the cars is closer to you than the other because it appears to be slightly larger, even though you know the two cars are the same size. This is an example of which perceptual cue?

Accepted Answer

The perceptual cue in this scenario is relative size. When two objects are of the same size but one appears larger, we perceive the larger object as closer to us. This is because we use our previous experience and knowledge about the size of objects to make judgments about their distance from us.

Question 20

The binocular cue in which you judge the distance of an object based on the degree to which the muscles of your eyes rotate inwards to focus on an object is called:

Accepted Answer

Convergence is the binocular cue used to judge the distance of an object based on the degree to which the muscles of your eyes rotate inwards to focus on an object. Accommodation refers to the process by which the lens of the eye changes shape to focus on an object at different distances. Motion parallax is the monocular cue used to judge the distance of objects in motion based on the relative speed and direction of their movement. Overlap is the monocular cue used to judge the distance of objects based on which objects appear to be in front of or behind others.

Quiz 3: Sensation and Perception