Psychology Sensation vs. Perception Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which principle of Gestalt Psychology suggests that we perceive incomplete shapes as complete?

Proximity

Similarity

Continuity

Closure (correct)

Which aspect of perception deals with the interpretation of stimuli to recognize familiar objects and patterns?

Sensation

Perception (correct)

Threshold

Transduction

In the context of Gestalt principles, what does the principle of Proximity imply?

Gaps or unfinished shapes are filled in to create a whole.

Objects that are near each other are perceived as a group. (correct)

Lines are perceived as continuous even if interrupted.

Objects that appear similar are grouped together.

What is the term for the minimum intensity of stimulus that can be detected?

Absolute Threshold Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the process by which light waves are converted into neural signals in the visual system?

Transduction Signup and view all the answers

What type of depth cue is retinal disparity, which involves the difference in images between the two eyes?

Binocular Depth Cue Signup and view all the answers

Which Gestalt principle helps us understand why we often group similar colored objects together in our perception?

Similarity Signup and view all the answers

Which sensory receptor is specifically responsible for detecting pain?

Nociceptors Signup and view all the answers

How does the principle of Size Constancy affect our perception of objects?

We perceive objects to have the same size regardless of distance. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a key principle of Gestalt psychology?

Reciprocity Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary characteristic of long-term memory compared to short-term memory?

It is stable and can last for years or a lifetime. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of the hippocampus in memory formation?

It retains short-term memory while being unable to create new explicit memories. Signup and view all the answers

How can eyewitness memory be significantly altered according to psychological studies?

Through the influence of misleading or erroneous information. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes operant conditioning?

A process where behavior is modified through consequences like rewards and punishments Signup and view all the answers

What does the computational theory of mind primarily suggest about the brain?

The brain processes information much like a computer. Signup and view all the answers

In classical conditioning, what role does the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) play?

It elicits a natural response without any prior learning. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of problem-solving methods, which of the following describes a heuristic?

A mental shortcut that may not always lead to the correct answer. Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining characteristic of explicit memory?

It involves conscious recollection of personal experiences and facts. Signup and view all the answers

What distinct function does System 2 in dual systems of thinking serve?

It processes information slowly and deliberately. Signup and view all the answers

Which heuristic is characterized by judging the likelihood of events based on their availability in memory?

Availability heuristic Signup and view all the answers

What type of interference occurs when new learning disrupts the retrieval of old memories?

Retroactive interference Signup and view all the answers

Confirmation bias primarily influences decision-making by causing individuals to:

Focus on information that aligns with their existing beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding reinforcement schedules?

In continuous reinforcement, the behavior is reinforced every time it is exhibited. Signup and view all the answers

Which example represents implicit memory?

Riding a bicycle without thinking about it Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects the concept of general intelligence (g) as proposed by Charles Spearman?

It underlies all cognitive abilities across different tasks. Signup and view all the answers

What type of mental representation involves picturing an object, such as imagining a face?

Visual mental imagery Signup and view all the answers

Which concept in cognitive learning refers to the understanding of one's environment through mental representations?

Cognitive maps Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the term extinction in the context of classical conditioning?

The process by which a conditioned response diminishes when the conditioned stimulus is no longer paired with the unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of memory retention process?

Segmentation Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic differentiates episodic memory from semantic memory?

Episodic memory pertains to personal experiences, while semantic memory relates to facts and general knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sensation vs. Perception

Sensation is the detection of stimuli (light, sound, touch).
Perception is the organization and interpretation of sensory information.
Example: Light on the retina is interpreted by the brain as an image.

Sensory Receptors & Transduction

Sensory receptors are specialized neurons that detect stimuli.
Sensory transduction converts stimuli into neural signals.
Example: Light waves are transduced into visual images.

The Visual System

Light is electromagnetic radiation (380 nm - 760 nm visible).
Human eye components:
- Cornea: Transparent layer for light entry.
- Iris: Controls pupil size.
- Lens: Focuses light on the retina.
- Retina: Contains photoreceptors (rods & cones).
- Optic nerve: Transmits signals to the brain.
  - Photoreceptors:
    - Cones: Detail and color vision, best in daylight, concentrated in the fovea.
    - Rods: Low-light vision, not color, primarily in the peripheral retina.

Depth Perception

Binocular depth cues: Retinal disparity, convergence.
Monocular depth cues: Relative size, linear perspective.
Example: Ponzo illusion (linear perspective trick).

Gestalt Principles of Perception

Studies whole objects, not just parts.
Key principles:
- Closure: Filling gaps for completeness.
- Similarity: Grouping similar objects.
- Proximity: Nearby objects perceived as related.
- Good continuation: Smooth lines perceived over disjointed ones.

Perceptual Constancies

Size constancy: Same size perception despite distance.
Shape constancy: Same shape perception from different angles.
Color constancy: Maintaining color despite lighting changes.

Light as a Stimulus

Part of electromagnetic spectrum (380-760 nm).
Wavelength determines color (short = blue/violet, long = red).

The Auditory System

Sound waves are created by vibrating objects.
Frequency determines pitch.
Amplitude determines loudness.
Ear structure: Outer ear (pinna), middle ear (tympanic membrane & ossicles), inner ear (cochlea).
Cochlea transduces sound into neural signals.

Transduction of Sound

Sound vibrations move the basilar membrane.
Hair cells convert sound to neural signals.

Somatosensory System

Detects sensations: touch, pressure, vibration, pain, and temperature.
Receptors: Pressure-sensitive, thermoreceptors, nociceptors.
The homunculus and the somatosensory cortex: Sensory input mapped in the brain, with larger areas for more sensitive body parts.

Perception & Psychophysics

Psychophysics: Study of stimulus-perception relationships.
Absolute threshold: Minimum detectable stimulus intensity.
Subliminal perception: Processing stimuli below conscious detection.

The Gestalt School & Grouping Principles

Gestalt psychology: Whole object perception.
Grouping principles: Similarity, proximity, continuity, closure.

Learning vs. Memory

Learning: Lasting change in behavior from experience.
Memory: Process of encoding, storing, retrieving information.

Classical Conditioning (Ivan Pavlov)

Neutral stimulus becomes associated with unconditioned stimulus.
Elicits conditioned response.
Key terms: Unconditioned stimulus (UCS), Unconditioned response (UCR), Conditioned stimulus (CS), Conditioned response (CR)
Example: Pavlov's dogs learned salivation at bell sound.

Operant Conditioning (B.F. Skinner)

Learning through rewards and punishments.
Reinforcement increases behavior (positive or negative).
Punishment decreases behavior (positive or negative).
Reinforcement schedules: Continuous, intermittent.

Memory Types

Explicit memory: Episodic (personal experiences), Semantic (facts and general knowledge).
Implicit memory: Procedural (skills and tasks), Associative (classical conditioning responses)

Forgetting & Interference

Forgetting curve (Ebbinghaus): Rapid forgetting, some retention over time.
Types of interference: Proactive and retroactive

Additional Notes

Real-world classical conditioning.
Extinction.
Cognitive learning (Edward Tolman).
Memory processes: Encoding, storage, retrieval.
Short-term vs. long-term memory.
Case of H.M.

Eyewitness Memory

Unreliable due to misinformation.
Elizabeth Loftus: Memory altered by misleading information.

Computational Theory of Mind

Brain as an information-processing device.
Inputs, processing, outputs.
Example: Seeing a red light, brain processes, output: Press brake.

Thinking and Mental Imagery

Mental representations.
Mental imagery (visual, auditory).
Activation: Same brain areas activated in imagination as in real experience.
Schemas, concepts, prototypes.
Example: Imagining pizza activates same brain areas as eating pizza.

Heuristics

Mental shortcuts, fast but not always accurate.
Example; guessing the shortest line.

Algorithms

Step-by-step procedures, slow but reliable.
Example: following a recipe.

Insight

Sudden realizations.
Example: “Ah-ha!” moment

Dual Systems of Thinking (Kahneman)

System 1: Fast, automatic, quick judgments.
System 2: Slow, deliberate, requires focus.

Availability Heuristic

Judging commonality based on memory.
Example: Shark attack perceptions.

Representativeness Heuristic

Categorizing based on prototypes.
Example: Assuming a glasses-wearing book lover is a librarian.

Confirmation Bias

Focusing on information that confirms existing beliefs.
Ignoring contradictory information.

Intelligence

General intelligence (g): Underlines all cognitive abilities.
IQ (Intelligence Quotient): Measures mental age vs. chronological age.
Binet's and Stanford-Binet Tests
Environmental influence on IQ: Twin studies.

Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

Components: Recognizing own emotions, empathizing with others.
Importance: Predictive of relational success.

Grit

Definition: Perseverance and passion for long-term goals.
Research: Grit leads to success, even with lower IQ.

Animal Intelligence

Concept formation (e.g., counting by birds).
Insight and tool use (e.g., chimps using sticks).

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Description

Test your understanding of sensation and perception in psychology. This quiz covers sensory receptors, transduction, and the components of the visual system. Explore how we detect and interpret sensory information.