Question 1

The action of the visual receptors supports the
A) Hering theory of color vision.
B) opponent process theory of color vision.
C) James-Lange theory of color vision.
D) trichromatic theory of color vision.

Accepted Answer

The trichromatic theory of color vision proposes that the human eye has three types of color receptors (cones) that are sensitive to different wavelengths of light. These three primary colors are red, blue, and green, and they combine to create all the colors we see. This theory is supported by the action of the visual receptors in the eyes.

Question 2

Which theory of color vision states that color perception depends on receptors that make antagonistic responses to three pairs of colors?
A) additive color theory
B) opponent process theory
C) trichromatic theory
D) subtractive color theory

Accepted Answer

The opponent process theory of color vision proposes that color perception is based on three pairs of opposing color receptors: red-green, blue-yellow, and black-white. When one color in a pair is stimulated, the other is inhibited, leading to the perception of a particular color.

Question 3

In explaining color vision,contemporary researchers claim that at the level of the cones color vision occurs via a(n)____ process but along the neural pathway from the LGN to the visual cortex the process is a(n)____ one.
A) opponent process; trichromatic
B) trichromatic; opponent process
C) trichromatic; additive
D) opponent; subtractive

Accepted Answer

At the level of the cones, color vision occurs via a trichromatic process (three types of cones respond to different wavelengths of light). However, along the neural pathway from the LGN to the visual cortex, the process is an opponent one (opposing pairs of colors are processed in the visual system). This is known as the opponent-process theory of color vision.

Question 4

Three people look at the same sketch and report seeing three different things.This illustrates the contribution to perception of
A) stimulus ambiguity.
B) cognitive interpretation.
C) sensory readiness.
D) cognitive dissonance.

Accepted Answer

Cognitive interpretation refers to the use of prior knowledge and context to interpret sensory information. In this scenario, each person's individual experiences and expectations influence their interpretation of the sketch, resulting in three different perceptions despite looking at the same stimulus. This highlights the role of cognitive interpretation in shaping perception. Stimulus ambiguity (A) refers to situations where the sensory information is unclear or incomplete, which is not necessarily the case in this scenario. Sensory readiness (C) refers to the brain's tendency to selectively attend to certain stimuli, but this does not explain the differences in perception reported by the three individuals. Cognitive dissonance (D) refers to the psychological discomfort of holding conflicting beliefs or attitudes, which is not relevant to this situation.

Question 5

The process of detecting specific elements in visual input and assembling them into a more complex form is known as
A) perceptual set.
B) inattentional blindness.
C) feature analysis.
D) top-to-bottom processing.

Accepted Answer

The process of detecting specific elements in visual input and assembling them into a more complex form is known as feature analysis, making choice C the best answer. Perceptual set refers to a person's readiness to perceive a stimuli in a particular way, inattentional blindness is the phenomenon of not noticing unexpected or unrelated stimuli when focusing on a specific task, and top-to-bottom processing involves analyzing sensory information starting with general aspects and then gradually focusing on more specific details.

Question 6

After having your picture taken with a yellow flash,you momentarily see blue spots floating before your eyes.This phenomenon is best explained by
A) subtractive color mixing.
B) opponent process theory.
C) additive color mixing.
D) trichromatic theory.

Accepted Answer

The opponent process theory explains this phenomenon as it suggests that the human visual system interprets color in an antagonistic way, where certain colors are perceived as opposites. When you see a yellow flash, the yellow receptors are overstimulated and temporarily fatigued, leading to the perception of the complementary color, blue, as an afterimage.

Question 7

According to one theory of color vision,colors are signaled in pairs by neurons that fire faster to one color and slower to another color.This theory is known as the
A) opponent process theory.
B) trichromatic theory.
C) signal-detection theory.
D) feature-detection theory.

Accepted Answer

The opponent process theory suggests that color vision is based on three pairs of opposing color receptors: blue/yellow, red/green, and black/white. Neurons that respond to one color in each pair inhibit their partner neurons, creating the sensation of color. This theory explains how we perceive afterimages, where one color will appear to linger after staring at an image. The trichromatic theory, on the other hand, suggests that color vision is based on the activation of three different types of cones in the retina, each sensitive to a different range of wavelengths.

Question 8

Vanessa describes a new melody that she heard at a concert by telling you each of the individual notes,in the order that they were played.In providing this type of description,it appears that Vanessa processed the melody using
A) top-down processing.
B) figure-ground processing.
C) opponent-processes.
D) bottom-up processing.

Accepted Answer

Vanessa processed the individual notes of the melody in a sequential order, which suggests that she was processing the melody using bottom-up processing. This type of processing involves recognizing individual features or components before integrating them into a larger perception.

Question 9

Our past experiences and current expectations often influence the way we perceive sensory information because they create
A) bottom-up processing.
B) a phi phenomenon.
C) feature detectors..
D) a perceptual set.

Accepted Answer

A perceptual set is the expectation or framework that we create based on past experiences and current context, which influences the way we interpret and organize sensory information. This can lead to top-down processing where our expectations shape our perception, rather than bottom-up processing where sensory information itself drives our perception. The other options are not relevant to the phenomenon of perceptual set.

Question 10

While visiting the art museum,Laura stared at a black and white photograph in a red frame for over a minute.When she looked away from the photograph she saw an afterimage of a rectangle.Consistent with the opponent process theory the image she saw was
A) green.
B) red.
C) blue.
D) yellow.

Accepted Answer

According to the opponent process theory, the afterimage of a black and white photograph in a red frame would be green. This is because the opponent process theory states that the visual system processes color in pairs of opposing colors, such as red and green, blue and yellow, and black and white. When one color in a pair is stimulated, the other color is inhibited. In this case, the red frame would stimulate the red-green opponent process, and the afterimage would be green.

Question 11

MOST accurately,additive color mixing occurs when combining
A) two or more colors.
B) the three primary colors.
C) lights of different colors.
D) pigments of different colors.

Accepted Answer

Additive color mixing occurs when different colors of light are combined. The three primary colors in this case are red, green, and blue. When these colors are combined, they can create a wide range of other colors. This is different from pigment or subtractive color mixing, which occurs when pigments of different colors are combined and absorb certain wavelengths of light, resulting in a different color.

Question 12

Psychologists who took the structuralist approach to the study of consciousness believed that the best way to understand an individual's conscious experiences was to understand all the component parts that combined to produce the experience.This view is most consistent with
A) the top-down processing model of perception.
B) the eclectic model of perception.
C) the bottom-up processing model of perception.
D) the opponent-process model of perception.

Accepted Answer

The structuralist approach suggests that understanding the individual components that combine to produce an experience is the best way to understand consciousness. This aligns with the bottom-up processing model of perception, which emphasizes the role of sensory input in shaping perception. Therefore, the answer is C - the bottom-up processing model of perception.

Question 13

Research suggests that which of the following colors tends to hinder performance in situations that demand achievement?
A) green.
B) red.
C) blue.
D) yellow.

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that the color red tends to hinder performance in situations that demand achievement as it can evoke feelings of threat and anxiety, leading to decreased confidence and performance.

Question 14

According to the Featured Study described in the text,a target woman wearing a red blouse was rated higher by male observers on all of the following EXCEPT
A) perceived attractiveness.
B) likability.
C) sexual desirability.
D) dating appeal.

Accepted Answer

The study found that the male observers rated the target woman wearing a red blouse higher in perceived attractiveness, sexual desirability, and dating appeal compared to when she wore a green blouse. However, likability was not one of the factors where the participants rated her differently based on the color of the blouse she wore.

Question 15

A perceptual set implies that
A) people often see what they expect to see.
B) visual perception is based on a bottom-up processing strategy.
C) feature analysis is a "hard-wired" process.
D) the focused-attention stage of processing is often overridden by preattentive processes.

Accepted Answer

A perceptual set refers to the tendency of individuals to see and interpret things in a way that is consistent with their expectations, beliefs, and prior experiences. This implies that people often see what they expect to see, which can influence their perceptions and interpretations of sensory information. The other options, such as bottom-up processing, feature analysis, and preattentive processes, may play a role in perception, but they do not directly relate to the concept of perceptual set.

Question 16

The color red tends to have positive effects in ________ contexts and negative effects in ________ contexts.
A) academic, athletic
B) athletic, musical
C) sexual, achievement
D) achievement, dating

Accepted Answer

The color red tends to have positive effects in sexual contexts as it is associated with passion and desire. However, it has negative effects in achievement contexts as it is associated with failure or danger.

Question 17

Television sets are able to recreate the entire visible spectrum by additively mixing three primary colors.This process is similar to the view of human color vision called
A) opponent-process theory.
B) saturation theory.
C) complementary color theory.
D) trichromatic theory.

Accepted Answer

The process described in the statement is consistent with the trichromatic theory of color vision, which posits that the human visual system distinguishes colors through the use of three types of cones that are maximally sensitive to different wavelengths. These cones are most responsive to short (blue), medium (green), and long (red) wavelengths of light, respectively, and can be stimulated in various ratios to produce the perception of any color in the visible spectrum. Similarly, television sets use combinations of red, green, and blue light (RGB) to generate the range of colors that we perceive on the screen.

Question 18

Eric has been wearing red welding goggles for the past 30 minutes.Based on the opponent-process theory of color vision,when Eric takes off the red goggles he should expect that objects will temporarily appear to be
A) blue.
B) yellow.
C) orange.
D) green.

Accepted Answer

The opponent-process theory of color vision suggests that colors are perceived through the operation of opposing pairs of colors: red-green, blue-yellow, and black-white. After wearing red goggles, Eric's vision would adapt to reduce the impact of the overwhelming red input. When the goggles are removed, the balance shifts towards the opposing color, green, making objects appear temporarily greenish.

Question 19

Feature analysis assumes that we progress from individual elements to the whole in the formation of our perceptions.This is a case of
A) bottom-up processing.
B) bottom-down processing.
C) top-down processing.
D) top-to-bottom processing.

Accepted Answer

Feature analysis refers to the process of breaking down complex stimuli into individual features and processing them in a bottom-up manner, starting from the elements to perceive the whole. Therefore, the correct choice is A) bottom-up processing.

Question 20

Inattentional blindness is likely to increase when a person is
A) watching television.
B) consuming caffeine.
C) studying.
D) talking on a cell phone.

Accepted Answer

Talking on a cell phone can distract a person's attention and increase their inattentional blindness. They may be less likely to notice things in their environment because they are focused on their phone conversation.

Quiz 4: Sensation and Perception

The action of the visual receptors supports the

Which theory of color vision states that color perception depends on receptors that make antagonistic responses to three pairs of colors?

In explaining color vision,contemporary researchers claim that at the level of the cones color vision occurs via a(n) process but along the neural pathway from the LGN to the visual cortex the process is a(n) one.

Three people look at the same sketch and report seeing three different things.This illustrates the contribution to perception of

The process of detecting specific elements in visual input and assembling them into a more complex form is known as

After having your picture taken with a yellow flash,you momentarily see blue spots floating before your eyes.This phenomenon is best explained by

According to one theory of color vision,colors are signaled in pairs by neurons that fire faster to one color and slower to another color.This theory is known as the

Vanessa describes a new melody that she heard at a concert by telling you each of the individual notes,in the order that they were played.In providing this type of description,it appears that Vanessa processed the melody using

Our past experiences and current expectations often influence the way we perceive sensory information because they create

While visiting the art museum,Laura stared at a black and white photograph in a red frame for over a minute.When she looked away from the photograph she saw an afterimage of a rectangle.Consistent with the opponent process theory the image she saw was

MOST accurately,additive color mixing occurs when combining

Psychologists who took the structuralist approach to the study of consciousness believed that the best way to understand an individual's conscious experiences was to understand all the component parts that combined to produce the experience.This view is most consistent with

Research suggests that which of the following colors tends to hinder performance in situations that demand achievement?

According to the Featured Study described in the text,a target woman wearing a red blouse was rated higher by male observers on all of the following EXCEPT

A perceptual set implies that

The color red tends to have positive effects in contexts and negative effects in contexts.

Television sets are able to recreate the entire visible spectrum by additively mixing three primary colors.This process is similar to the view of human color vision called

Eric has been wearing red welding goggles for the past 30 minutes.Based on the opponent-process theory of color vision,when Eric takes off the red goggles he should expect that objects will temporarily appear to be

Feature analysis assumes that we progress from individual elements to the whole in the formation of our perceptions.This is a case of

Inattentional blindness is likely to increase when a person is