AP Psychology 2.1: Perception

Question 1

Perception

Answer 1

Interpreting sensory information obtained through the five senses.

Question 2

Sensation

Answer 2

The raw data or information received from sensory receptors.

Question 3

Sensation vs. Perception

Answer 3

Sensation = detecting stimulus; Perception = interpreting it.

Question 4

Top-Down Processing

Answer 4

Using prior knowledge and experience to interpret sensory information.

Question 5

Bottom-Up Processing

Answer 5

Interpreting information without prior experience; building from raw stimuli.

Question 6

Proofreader Illusion

Answer 6

Mistakes are missed when reading your own writing due to top-down processing.

Question 7

Schemas

Answer 7

Mental frameworks built from past experiences; help organize and interpret information.

Question 8

Perceptual Sets

Answer 8

Mental shortcuts based on expectations or emotions; influence immediate perception.

Question 9

Internal Influences on Perception

Answer 9

Mood, emotions, culture, expectations.

Question 10

External Influences on Perception

Answer 10

Environment, upbringing, profession.

Question 11

Mueller-Lyer Illusion

Answer 11

Optical illusion where identical lines appear different in length due to arrow tips.

Question 12

Selective Attention

Answer 12

Focusing on one stimulus while ignoring others.

Question 13

Cocktail Party Effect

Answer 13

Ability to focus on one conversation in a noisy environment.

Question 14

Inattentional Blindness

Answer 14

Failing to notice visible objects because attention is elsewhere.

Question 15

Change Blindness

Answer 15

Failing to notice changes in the environment.

Question 16

Apparent Movement

Answer 16

Perceiving motion when none is occurring.

Question 17

Stroboscopic Motion

Answer 17

Illusion of motion by showing still images in rapid succession.

Question 18

Phi Phenomenon

Answer 18

Perceiving motion when lights blink on/off in sequence.

Question 19

Induced Movement

Answer 19

Stationary object appears to move due to surrounding motion.

Question 20

Autokinetic Effect

Answer 20

Stationary light in darkness appears to move.

Question 21

Gestalt Psychology

Answer 21

Explains how we naturally organize sensory input into meaningful wholes.

Question 22

Figure-Ground

Answer 22

Separating an image into the main object (figure) and background (ground).

Question 23

Continuation

Answer 23

Our eyes follow continuous lines/paths.

Question 24

Closure

Answer 24

Filling in missing parts to recognize familiar objects.

Question 25

Similarity

Answer 25

Grouping similar items as part of the same group.

Question 26

Proximity

Answer 26

Grouping objects close together as one unit.

Question 27

Symmetry

Answer 27

Symmetrical objects are perceived as a whole.

Question 28

Depth Perception

Answer 28

Ability to perceive the distance of objects.

Question 29

Binocular Cues

Answer 29

Depth cues that require both eyes.

Question 30

Convergence

Answer 30

Eyes move inward to focus on nearby objects.

Question 31

Retinal Disparity

Answer 31

Slight difference in images between two eyes; gives a sense of depth.

Question 32

Monocular Cues

Answer 32

Depth cues that only require one eye.

Question 33

Relative Size

Answer 33

Closer objects appear larger.

Question 34

Interposition

Answer 34

One object blocks another; blocked one is farther.

Question 35

Relative Height

Answer 35

Objects higher in the visual field appear farther.

Question 36

Shading and Contour

Answer 36

Shadows and edges help perceive depth and shape.

Question 37

Linear Perspective

Answer 37

Parallel lines appear to converge in the distance.

Question 38

Texture Gradient

Answer 38

Closer objects have more detailed textures.