AP Psychology : Sensory Organs and Mechanisms

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

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Example Question #91 : Sensation And Perception

Which of the following best identify where are photoreceptors found in the eye?

Possible Answers:

Retina

Sclera

Ciliary muscles

Lens

Correct answer:

Retina

Explanation:

Photoreceptor cells are found only in the "retina" of the eye and house the rods and cones, which break down in the presence of light. This allows the transduction of light energy into electrical energy within the nervous system, which is channeled back to the visual centers of the brain for processing.

The other choices are incorrect. The "lens" is responsible for focusing light onto the retina and the photoreceptor cells that comprise it. The "ciliary muscles" control the shape of the lens when focusing on objects, while the "sclera" is the hard, white, outer surface of the eye. Neither of these areas contain photoreceptors.

Example Question #851 : Individual Psychology And Behavior

Regarding the sense of hearing, frequency and amplitude are best compared to _________ and _________, respectively.

Possible Answers:

loudness. . . pitch

pitch. . . timbre

timbre. . . pitch

pitch. . . loudness

Correct answer:

pitch. . . loudness

Explanation:

The frequency of a sound-wave determines its perceived pitch. Pitch could be described as the musical note which would correlate with the particular tone. The amplitude of a sound-wave, on the other hand, determines its loudness. High frequency sound-waves produce higher pitched notes than lower frequency waves, while high amplitude sound-waves will produce louder sounds than lower amplitude waves.

Timbre is a complex quality of sound better described as its particular "voice" and is the reason why an A flat or a C sharp on a piano sounds different from the same note played on a trumpet. Timbre is not the result of individual frequencies or amplitude, but rather the combination of other factors.

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