Q.1 What is sensation in psychology?
The process of interpreting sensory input
The detection of physical energy from the environment
The memory of past experiences
The emotional response to stimuli
Explanation - Sensation refers to the initial process of detecting and encoding physical energy such as light or sound by sensory organs.
Correct answer is: The detection of physical energy from the environment
Q.2 Which term refers to the minimum amount of stimulation needed to detect a stimulus 50% of the time?
Difference threshold
Absolute threshold
Sensory adaptation
Signal detection
Explanation - The absolute threshold is the minimum intensity of a stimulus that can be detected half the time.
Correct answer is: Absolute threshold
Q.3 What does 'psychophysics' study?
Mental disorders
Brain chemistry
The relationship between physical stimuli and psychological experience
Group behavior
Explanation - Psychophysics explores how the intensity and nature of stimuli correspond to our sensory and perceptual experiences.
Correct answer is: The relationship between physical stimuli and psychological experience
Q.4 The point at which a stimulus goes from undetectable to detectable is known as the:
Difference threshold
Absolute threshold
Subliminal level
Sensory limit
Explanation - The absolute threshold marks the boundary where a stimulus becomes detectable to the senses.
Correct answer is: Absolute threshold
Q.5 What is the 'difference threshold' also known as?
Absolute limit
Just noticeable difference
Sensory overload
Adaptation point
Explanation - The difference threshold or JND is the smallest change in stimulus intensity that can be detected.
Correct answer is: Just noticeable difference
Q.6 Weber’s Law states that:
Perception is based on expectations
The JND is a constant proportion of the original stimulus
All stimuli are perceived equally
Sensory adaptation occurs over time
Explanation - Weber’s Law describes how the just noticeable difference depends on the relative, not absolute, difference between stimuli.
Correct answer is: The JND is a constant proportion of the original stimulus
Q.7 According to signal detection theory, detecting a stimulus depends on:
Only the stimulus intensity
A person’s expectations, motivation, and alertness
Memory strength
Muscle fatigue
Explanation - Signal detection theory accounts for psychological factors that influence whether a signal is noticed.
Correct answer is: A person’s expectations, motivation, and alertness
Q.8 Which of the following is an example of sensory adaptation?
Hearing your name in a noisy room
Getting used to the smell of a perfume
Feeling pain from a paper cut
Tasting bitterness in coffee
Explanation - Sensory adaptation occurs when sensitivity to an unchanging stimulus decreases over time.
Correct answer is: Getting used to the smell of a perfume
Q.9 Who is known for formulating the law of psychophysics?
Sigmund Freud
Gustav Fechner
John Watson
Wilhelm Wundt
Explanation - Fechner developed the foundational laws of psychophysics, linking physical and mental magnitudes.
Correct answer is: Gustav Fechner
Q.10 Which sense involves detecting light energy?
Audition
Vision
Olfaction
Gustation
Explanation - Vision depends on the detection of light energy by the eyes’ photoreceptors.
Correct answer is: Vision
Q.11 The process of converting sensory information into neural impulses is called:
Transmission
Perception
Transduction
Adaptation
Explanation - Transduction transforms physical energy into neural signals that the brain can interpret.
Correct answer is: Transduction
Q.12 Which receptor type is primarily responsible for detecting color?
Rods
Cones
Hair cells
Olfactory bulbs
Explanation - Cones in the retina detect color and function best in bright light.
Correct answer is: Cones
Q.13 The minimal change in a stimulus that can be reliably detected is the:
Absolute threshold
Difference threshold
Adaptation limit
Perceptual cue
Explanation - This threshold measures the smallest detectable difference between two stimuli.
Correct answer is: Difference threshold
Q.14 What does the term 'subliminal' mean in psychophysics?
Above conscious awareness
Below absolute threshold
Within normal hearing range
A form of adaptation
Explanation - Subliminal stimuli are too weak to be consciously perceived but may still influence behavior.
Correct answer is: Below absolute threshold
Q.15 What happens during sensory overload?
The brain ignores all stimuli
Too much sensory input overwhelms processing
Senses shut down completely
The person becomes more alert
Explanation - When stimuli exceed the brain’s processing capacity, sensory overload occurs.
Correct answer is: Too much sensory input overwhelms processing
Q.16 Fechner’s Law suggests that sensation increases:
Linearly with stimulus intensity
Proportionally to the logarithm of stimulus intensity
Inversely with attention
Only at high intensities
Explanation - Fechner proposed that perceived intensity grows logarithmically as stimulus intensity increases.
Correct answer is: Proportionally to the logarithm of stimulus intensity
Q.17 In vision, rods are more sensitive to:
Color and fine detail
Low light and motion
Peripheral sounds
Depth perception
Explanation - Rods are specialized for night and peripheral vision, sensitive to dim light.
Correct answer is: Low light and motion
Q.18 What is a sensory receptor?
A muscle fiber
A neuron that detects specific stimuli
A hormone
A brain cell for memory
Explanation - Sensory receptors are specialized neurons that convert physical energy into neural signals.
Correct answer is: A neuron that detects specific stimuli
Q.19 What is the main function of the retina?
To focus light
To convert light into neural signals
To regulate pupil size
To transmit impulses to muscles
Explanation - The retina contains photoreceptors that transduce light into electrical impulses.
Correct answer is: To convert light into neural signals
Q.20 In signal detection theory, a 'false alarm' occurs when:
A signal is missed
No signal is present but one is reported
The signal is correctly detected
Noise is ignored
Explanation - A false alarm happens when a person perceives a signal that isn’t actually there.
Correct answer is: No signal is present but one is reported
Q.21 The smallest detectable sound a person can hear is an example of:
Difference threshold
Absolute threshold
Sensory adaptation
Subliminal perception
Explanation - It represents the minimal intensity required for detection half the time.
Correct answer is: Absolute threshold
Q.22 Which of the following best illustrates Weber’s Law?
You notice a 1-gram change when holding 10 grams but not 100 grams
You adapt to loud music
You ignore background noise
You perceive constant brightness
Explanation - Weber’s Law explains that the JND depends on relative, not absolute, changes in stimulus intensity.
Correct answer is: You notice a 1-gram change when holding 10 grams but not 100 grams
Q.23 The study of how sensory systems respond to physical energy is called:
Cognitive psychology
Psychophysics
Neuroanatomy
Behavioral analysis
Explanation - Psychophysics examines how physical stimuli relate to sensory experience.
Correct answer is: Psychophysics
Q.24 Which factor does NOT affect signal detection?
Expectation
Fatigue
Stimulus intensity
Memory recall ability
Explanation - Signal detection depends on both stimulus and psychological state, not memory recall.
Correct answer is: Memory recall ability
Q.25 When you no longer feel your watch on your wrist after wearing it for hours, this is due to:
Sensory adaptation
Absolute threshold
Difference threshold
Transduction
Explanation - The sensory receptors become less responsive to constant stimulation.
Correct answer is: Sensory adaptation
Q.26 Which sensory system detects mechanical vibrations in air?
Auditory
Olfactory
Gustatory
Visual
Explanation - The auditory system detects sound waves, which are mechanical vibrations traveling through air.
Correct answer is: Auditory