AP Psychology : Perception

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

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Example Question #1271 : Ap Psychology

A series of lights rapidly blinking off and on in succession creates the illusion of motion. This effect, which is often used in animation pictures, is referred to as which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Prägnanz effect

Opponent-process theory

Gestaltian experience

Phi phenomenon

Correct answer:

Phi phenomenon

Explanation:

The Gestalt laws of perception are a set of principles that govern the way humans tend to perceive visual stimuli as a collective whole, rather than discrete individual objects or events. Different names are given to the specific applications of this overarching principle. For example, the phi phenomenon refers to the tendency to perceive a series of lights blinking on and off down a line as a single light moving along, instead of a number of lights turning on and off for no apparent reason. The law of prägnanz (not the prägnanz effect that was listed as an answer choice) is the Gestalt law that suggests that people perceive visual stimuli in terms of the simplest explanation or form possible. Opponent-process theory is a concept of visual perception that explains why some colors seem to be incompatible (e.g. we might see a yellowish green, but we cannot really imagine a reddish green). 

Example Question #111 : Sensation And Perception

Thresholds are defined as the limits of one's perceptions. There are different types of thresholds for perceiving stimuli. Which of the following is the absolute threshold?

Possible Answers:

The amount of stimulus that's necessary to determine if a stimulus has been changed

The average amount of information that's necessary to understand a stimulus is actually present

The most amount of information that's necessary to understand a stimulus is actually present

The least amount of information that's necessary to understand a stimulus is actually present

The amount of stimulus that's necessary to determine if a stimulus has been kept the same

Correct answer:

The least amount of information that's necessary to understand a stimulus is actually present

Explanation:

The answer is "the least amount of information that's necessary to understand a stimulus is actually present." The average amount of information that's necessary to understand a stimulus is actually present holds no relevance in psychological terms, while the amount of stimulus that's necessary to determine if a stimulus has been changed is called the difference thresholdThe other answers hold no actual meaning in psychological terms, such as the max amount of stimulus, or the difference in stimulus to determine if the stimulus has been kept the same. 

Example Question #111 : Sensation And Perception

Which of the following are defined as symptoms that involve the perception of nonexistent sensory stimulation?

Possible Answers:

Anxiety

Delusions

Hallucinations 

Mania

Correct answer:

Hallucinations 

Explanation:

Mania and anxiety are most closely associate with behavior and not sensory perception. The main difference between delusions and hallucinations are that delusions are false beliefs. Conversely, "hallucinations" are false perceptions from a stimulus that does not exists. These perceptions are generated by the mind and occur during consciousness. 

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