Question 1

Alex and Peter work in an air traffic control tower. They are assigned with the task of monitoring signals on the radar to detect incoming planes. Alex tells Peter that he detected a signal on the radar. However, Peter does not agree with Alex. After further checks, they concur that there was no signal on the radar. Signal detection theorists would label Alex's initial report that he detected a signal as a ________.

Accepted Answer

Alex's initial report of detecting a signal when there was none is considered a false alarm in signal detection theory.

Question 2

The cells in the retina (called rods and cones) that convert light energy into nerve energy are called ________.

Accepted Answer

Photoreceptors, which include rods and cones, are the cells in the retina responsible for converting light energy into nerve energy, allowing for the perception of visual images.

Question 3

A false alarm is ________.

Accepted Answer

A false alarm occurs when someone incorrectly signals that a stimulus is present when it actually is not. This is different from failing to detect a stimulus that is present (a miss) or correctly detecting a stimulus (a hit).

Question 4

A cluster of the neuron cell bodies in the thalamus forms the ________.

Accepted Answer

The lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) is a cluster of neuron cell bodies in the thalamus that plays a critical role in the visual system by receiving information from the retina and transmitting it to the visual cortex.

Question 5

A ________ refers to the failure to detect a stimulus that is present.

Accepted Answer

A "miss" occurs when a stimulus is present but the observer fails to detect it, indicating a failure in perception or attention.

Question 6

Robert asks Thomas if he heard a knock at the door, and Thomas says that he did not. Robert, swearing he heard a knock, goes to the door and opens it, but there is no one there. Signal detection researchers would label Thomas's report of no knock as a ________.

Accepted Answer

Thomas's report of no knock is a "correct rejection" because there was indeed no one at the door, meaning no actual signal was present.

Question 7

________ is a monocular depth cue that causes the texture of a surface to appear more tightly packed together as the surface moves to the background.

Accepted Answer

Texture gradient is a monocular depth cue where objects appear denser or more closely packed as they move farther away, helping to perceive depth.

Question 8

Yasmin no longer senses the sound of air conditioner as she sits in the classroom. She has stopped attending to its stimulation because she sits in the same classroom every day. Psychologists call this experience ________.

Accepted Answer

Sensory adaptation refers to the process by which individuals become less sensitive to constant stimuli over time. Yasmin's decreased sensitivity to the sound of the air conditioner is a classic example of sensory adaptation, as her senses have adjusted to the constant presence of the sound.

Question 9

In the context of pain perception, the brain regions active in both physical and emotional pain are the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the ________.

Accepted Answer

The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the insula are both active in the perception of physical and emotional pain. These brain regions are involved in the emotional aspect of pain processing, highlighting the overlap between the neural mechanisms of physical and emotional pain.

Question 10

________ ensures that we notice changes in stimulation more than stimulation itself.

Accepted Answer

Sensory adaptation refers to the diminished sensitivity to a stimulus as a consequence of constant exposure to that stimulus. This process ensures that we are more responsive to changes in our environment than to the unchanging aspects of it.

Question 11

Karolina can see only a part of a stack of books because a box is partially obstructing the view. Karolina, therefore, knows the box is in front of the stack of books. This cue to depth is known as ________.

Accepted Answer

Interposition, also known as occlusion, is a visual cue that occurs when one object partially covers another, indicating that the covering object is closer to the viewer. In this scenario, because the box is partially covering the stack of books, it signals to Karolina that the box is in front of the books.

Question 12

Karl, who had his leg amputated after an injury, reports that he still feels pain in his missing leg. Such an experience is referred to as ________ pain.

Accepted Answer

Phantom limb pain refers to the sensation of pain or discomfort in a limb or part of a limb that has been amputated. Patients like Karl may feel as though the missing limb is still present and experiencing pain, even though it is no longer physically there.

Question 13

Which part of a person's eyes are photoreceptors that help her see the path in front and the trees around her when she is walking in the woods at night?

Accepted Answer

Rods are photoreceptors in the retina of the eye that are highly sensitive to low light levels, making them crucial for night vision. They do not perceive color, but they are excellent at detecting light and movement, which helps someone see the path and trees in dim light conditions.

Question 14

Which of the following are sets of bones from the middle ear that vibrate and amplify sound waves from the tympanic membrane?

Accepted Answer

The middle ear contains three tiny bones known as the ossicles, which are the hammer (malleus), anvil (incus), and stirrup (stapes). These bones vibrate and amplify sound waves from the tympanic membrane to the inner ear.

Question 15

While driving on a highway, José spots a sign on which a rapid succession of bulbs light up in a row. They look like a moving arrow pointing toward a motel. This visual effect is called ________.

Accepted Answer

The visual effect where a succession of stationary objects (such as bulbs) light up in sequence to create the illusion of motion is known as apparent motion. This is a common technique used in signage and animations to simulate movement.

Question 16

Sounds above 20,000 Hz are called ________.

Accepted Answer

Ultrasonic refers to sound waves that are above the frequency of 20,000 Hz, which is beyond the upper limit of human hearing.

Question 17

In the context of controlling pain, ________ are a class of drugs prescribed for severe pain by physicians. The term means "without pain."

Accepted Answer

Analgesics are the class of drugs specifically designed to relieve pain, which aligns with the term meaning "without pain."

Question 18

Identify a true statement about hair cells.

Accepted Answer

Hair cells in the inner ear are responsible for converting sound vibrations into electrical signals that the brain can interpret as sound. When these cells are damaged by exposure to loud noises, they do not regenerate, leading to permanent hearing loss.

Question 19

Once inside the auditory canal, sound vibrations travel to the ________.

Accepted Answer

Sound vibrations travel through the auditory canal and then hit the tympanic membrane, also known as the eardrum, which vibrates in response.

Question 20

Robert asks Thomas if he heard a knock at the door, and Thomas says that he did not. Robert, swearing he heard a knock, goes to the door and opens it, but there is no one there. Signal detection theorists would label Robert's perception that someone knocked at the door as a ________.

Accepted Answer

Robert's perception of a knock when there was none is considered a false alarm in signal detection theory, as he responded to a non-existent signal.

Quiz 4: Sensing and Perceiving Our World