Psychology 101
2 MAXE · 101 YSP
Ψ
PSY Introduction to Psychology — Examination 2
PSYCH 101
UNDERSTANDING HUMAN BEHAVIOR THROUGH SCIENCE
PSY 101 EXAM 2
CO M P R E H E N S I V E ST U DY G U I D E — S E N S AT I O N & P E R C E PT I O N , L E A R N I N G & M E M O RY
INSTITUTION College-Level Psychology 101 PROGRAM Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of
Science — Psychology
COURSE CODE PSY 101 COURSE TITLE Introduction to Psychology
ACADEMIC YEAR EXAM TITLE PSY 101 EXAM 2
TOTAL QUESTIONS 90 Questions FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Single Best Answer
STUDY GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS
▸ This comprehensive study guide covers Sensation & Perception, Learning, and Memory for PSY 101 Exam
2.
▸ Each question tests one discrete concept, definition, theory, or experimental finding from the course
material.
▸ Select the single best answer. Correct answers and detailed rationales are provided for self-assessment.
▸ Pay careful attention to distinctions between sensation vs. perception, classical vs. operant
conditioning, reinforcement vs. punishment, and the various memory systems.
▸ All content reflects standard introductory psychology textbook material and APA learning objectives.
, PSY 101 — SENSATION, PERCEPTION, LEARNING &
Questions 1 – 90
MEMORY
1. Sensation is defined as:
A. Interpreting and giving meaning to sensory input
B. Detecting physical energy (sound waves, light waves, molecules) in the environment
C. Remembering past sensory experiences
D. Organizing sensory information into meaningful categories
CORRECT ANSWER B — Detecting physical energy (sound waves, light waves, molecules) in the
environment
RATIONALE Sensation = detection of physical stimuli by sensory organs. It is the bottom-up
process of absorbing energy from the environment. Perception (Options A and D)
= interpretation and organization of those sensations. This distinction is
fundamental — the same sensory input can produce different perceptions
depending on context and expectations.
2. Perception is defined as:
A. Detecting physical energy in the environment
B. Interpreting sensations — providing definition, category, and understanding
C. The absorption of energy by receptors
D. Converting physical energy to neural signals
CORRECT ANSWER B — Interpreting sensations — providing definition, category, and
understanding
RATIONALE Perception = active construction of meaning from sensory data. It is top-down
processing influenced by expectations, context, and prior experience. Option A is
sensation. Option C is reception. Option D is transduction. Reversible figures
demonstrate that the same sensation can produce radically different perceptions.
,3. Reception refers to:
A. The interpretation of sensory information
B. The absorption of physical energy by receptors — specialized cells or sensory neuron
dendrites
C. The conversion of energy to neural signals
D. The minimum stimulation needed for detection
CORRECT ANSWER B — The absorption of physical energy by receptors — specialized cells or
sensory neuron dendrites
RATIONALE Reception = absorption of physical energy by sensory receptors (photoreceptors
for light, hair cells for sound). Option A is perception. Option C is transduction.
Option D describes a threshold. Reception is the first step in sensory processing —
without it, no sensation is possible.
4. Transduction is the process of:
A. Detecting physical stimuli in the environment
B. Converting physical energy to an electrochemical pattern in neurons (action potentials)
C. Interpreting sensory information into meaningful experience
D. Decreasing sensitivity to unchanging stimuli
CORRECT ANSWER B — Converting physical energy to an electrochemical pattern in neurons
(action potentials)
RATIONALE Transduction = the translation of physical energy (light, sound, pressure) into
neural signals the brain can process. This occurs at sensory receptors. Without
transduction, physical stimuli would never become conscious experience. Option
A is sensation/reception. Option C is perception. Option D is sensory adaptation.
, 5. The absolute threshold is:
A. The smallest detectable difference between two stimuli
B. The minimum stimulation needed to detect a particular stimulus 50% of the time
C. The maximum stimulation a person can tolerate
D. The change in sensitivity due to prolonged stimulation
CORRECT ANSWER B — The minimum stimulation needed to detect a particular stimulus 50%
of the time
RATIONALE Absolute threshold = detection. Example: "that light is on." It is the point at which
a stimulus is detected half the time. Option A is the difference threshold (JND).
Option C is not a standard term. Option D is sensory adaptation. The 50% criterion
accounts for variability in sensitivity across trials.
6. The difference threshold (JND) is:
A. The minimum stimulation for detection
B. The minimum difference between two stimuli required for detection 50% of the time —
e.g., "that light is brighter"
C. The maximum detectable stimulus intensity
D. The complete absence of sensation
CORRECT ANSWER B — The minimum difference between two stimuli required for detection
50% of the time — e.g., "that light is brighter"
RATIONALE Difference threshold = JND (just noticeable difference). Weber's Law states the
JND is a constant proportion of the original stimulus intensity — not a fixed
amount. For weight, the JND is about 2% of the original weight. Option A is the
absolute threshold. The JND measures discrimination, not detection.
2 MAXE · 101 YSP
Ψ
PSY Introduction to Psychology — Examination 2
PSYCH 101
UNDERSTANDING HUMAN BEHAVIOR THROUGH SCIENCE
PSY 101 EXAM 2
CO M P R E H E N S I V E ST U DY G U I D E — S E N S AT I O N & P E R C E PT I O N , L E A R N I N G & M E M O RY
INSTITUTION College-Level Psychology 101 PROGRAM Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of
Science — Psychology
COURSE CODE PSY 101 COURSE TITLE Introduction to Psychology
ACADEMIC YEAR EXAM TITLE PSY 101 EXAM 2
TOTAL QUESTIONS 90 Questions FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Single Best Answer
STUDY GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS
▸ This comprehensive study guide covers Sensation & Perception, Learning, and Memory for PSY 101 Exam
2.
▸ Each question tests one discrete concept, definition, theory, or experimental finding from the course
material.
▸ Select the single best answer. Correct answers and detailed rationales are provided for self-assessment.
▸ Pay careful attention to distinctions between sensation vs. perception, classical vs. operant
conditioning, reinforcement vs. punishment, and the various memory systems.
▸ All content reflects standard introductory psychology textbook material and APA learning objectives.
, PSY 101 — SENSATION, PERCEPTION, LEARNING &
Questions 1 – 90
MEMORY
1. Sensation is defined as:
A. Interpreting and giving meaning to sensory input
B. Detecting physical energy (sound waves, light waves, molecules) in the environment
C. Remembering past sensory experiences
D. Organizing sensory information into meaningful categories
CORRECT ANSWER B — Detecting physical energy (sound waves, light waves, molecules) in the
environment
RATIONALE Sensation = detection of physical stimuli by sensory organs. It is the bottom-up
process of absorbing energy from the environment. Perception (Options A and D)
= interpretation and organization of those sensations. This distinction is
fundamental — the same sensory input can produce different perceptions
depending on context and expectations.
2. Perception is defined as:
A. Detecting physical energy in the environment
B. Interpreting sensations — providing definition, category, and understanding
C. The absorption of energy by receptors
D. Converting physical energy to neural signals
CORRECT ANSWER B — Interpreting sensations — providing definition, category, and
understanding
RATIONALE Perception = active construction of meaning from sensory data. It is top-down
processing influenced by expectations, context, and prior experience. Option A is
sensation. Option C is reception. Option D is transduction. Reversible figures
demonstrate that the same sensation can produce radically different perceptions.
,3. Reception refers to:
A. The interpretation of sensory information
B. The absorption of physical energy by receptors — specialized cells or sensory neuron
dendrites
C. The conversion of energy to neural signals
D. The minimum stimulation needed for detection
CORRECT ANSWER B — The absorption of physical energy by receptors — specialized cells or
sensory neuron dendrites
RATIONALE Reception = absorption of physical energy by sensory receptors (photoreceptors
for light, hair cells for sound). Option A is perception. Option C is transduction.
Option D describes a threshold. Reception is the first step in sensory processing —
without it, no sensation is possible.
4. Transduction is the process of:
A. Detecting physical stimuli in the environment
B. Converting physical energy to an electrochemical pattern in neurons (action potentials)
C. Interpreting sensory information into meaningful experience
D. Decreasing sensitivity to unchanging stimuli
CORRECT ANSWER B — Converting physical energy to an electrochemical pattern in neurons
(action potentials)
RATIONALE Transduction = the translation of physical energy (light, sound, pressure) into
neural signals the brain can process. This occurs at sensory receptors. Without
transduction, physical stimuli would never become conscious experience. Option
A is sensation/reception. Option C is perception. Option D is sensory adaptation.
, 5. The absolute threshold is:
A. The smallest detectable difference between two stimuli
B. The minimum stimulation needed to detect a particular stimulus 50% of the time
C. The maximum stimulation a person can tolerate
D. The change in sensitivity due to prolonged stimulation
CORRECT ANSWER B — The minimum stimulation needed to detect a particular stimulus 50%
of the time
RATIONALE Absolute threshold = detection. Example: "that light is on." It is the point at which
a stimulus is detected half the time. Option A is the difference threshold (JND).
Option C is not a standard term. Option D is sensory adaptation. The 50% criterion
accounts for variability in sensitivity across trials.
6. The difference threshold (JND) is:
A. The minimum stimulation for detection
B. The minimum difference between two stimuli required for detection 50% of the time —
e.g., "that light is brighter"
C. The maximum detectable stimulus intensity
D. The complete absence of sensation
CORRECT ANSWER B — The minimum difference between two stimuli required for detection
50% of the time — e.g., "that light is brighter"
RATIONALE Difference threshold = JND (just noticeable difference). Weber's Law states the
JND is a constant proportion of the original stimulus intensity — not a fixed
amount. For weight, the JND is about 2% of the original weight. Option A is the
absolute threshold. The JND measures discrimination, not detection.
