PSY 102 Exam 2 – 2026/2027 UPDATED REVIEW
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
• What is sensation? -✓✓ the basic units of conscious experience, which are the
raw data detected by sensory receptors without any interpretation. For example,
sensations include patterns of light or sound.
• What is perception? -✓✓ interpreting these sensations to form meaningful
experiences, such as recognizing a familiar object or sound.
• What is the difference between sensation and perception -✓✓ Sensation is the
process of detecting stimuli through sensory receptors, while perception is the
cognitive process of organizing and interpreting these sensory inputs to give them
meaning.
• What is light, and how does wavelength and amplitude relate to experiences of
colour and brightness? -✓✓ Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation that can
be detected by the human eye. It has two key properties that relate to our visual
experiences:
1. Wavelength: This is the distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs of a
light wave. Wavelength corresponds to our perception of color. Different
wavelengths within the visible spectrum (approximately 380-700 nanometers) are
perceived as different colors. For example:
- Shorter wavelengths (around 400-500 nm) appear as blues and violets
- Medium wavelengths (around 500-600 nm) appear as greens and yellows
- Longer wavelengths (around 600-700 nm) appear as oranges and reds
2. Amplitude: This refers to the height of the light wave, or how much energy it
carries. Amplitude relates to our perception of brightness. Higher amplitude waves
,have more energy and are perceived as brighter, while lower amplitude waves
appear dimmer.
• How is the amount of light that enters your eyes controlled? -✓✓ The amount of
light entering your eyes is controlled by the pupil reflex:
1. The pupil is the dark opening in the centre of the iris.
2. In bright light, the pupil constricts (becomes smaller) to reduce light entry.
3. In dim light, the pupil dilates (becomes larger) to allow more light in.
4. This process is controlled by the autonomic nervous system:
- The sphincter pupillae muscle constricts the pupil
- The dilator pupillae muscle dilates the pupil
5. The pupil reflex works quickly and continuously, adjusting to changing light
conditions to maintain optimal visual acuity and protect the eye's sensitive
structures
• How is light focused onto your retinas? -✓✓ Light is focused onto your retinas
through the accommodation reflex:
1. The lens in your eye changes shape to focus light on the retina.
2. For near objects:
- The lens becomes shorter and more convex
- This increases its refractive power
3. For far objects:
- The lens becomes longer and less convex
- This decreases its refractive power
4. The ciliary muscles control this shape change:
- They contract for near vision, making the lens more rounded
- They relax for distant vision, allowing the lens to flatten
, 5. This reflex occurs automatically in response to visual input.
6. With age, the lens becomes less flexible, making it harder to focus on near
objects (presbyopia).
• How is light translated into electrochemical languages of the brain? -✓✓ Light is
translated into electrochemical signals by photoreceptors (rods and cones) in the
retina:
- Rods (approximately 92 million): More sensitive to light, responsible for night
vision.
- Cones (approximately 4.6 million): Responsible for color vision and fine detail.
• What are the different jobs done by the rod and cone cells? -✓✓ Rod cells:
1. More sensitive to light than cones
2. Responsible for night vision and vision in low-light conditions
3. There are approximately 92 million rod cells in the human retina
4. Located more towards the edges of the retina
5. Do not provide colour vision
Cone cells:
1. Less sensitive to light than rods
2. Responsible for colour vision
3. Provide fine detail and visual acuity
4. There are approximately 4.6 million cone cells in the human retina
5. Concentrated in the centre of the retina, especially in the fovea
6. Function best in well-lit conditions
• What is the process of dark adaptation? -✓✓ Dark adaptation is the process
through which your eyes gradually become more sensitive to light, allowing you to
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
• What is sensation? -✓✓ the basic units of conscious experience, which are the
raw data detected by sensory receptors without any interpretation. For example,
sensations include patterns of light or sound.
• What is perception? -✓✓ interpreting these sensations to form meaningful
experiences, such as recognizing a familiar object or sound.
• What is the difference between sensation and perception -✓✓ Sensation is the
process of detecting stimuli through sensory receptors, while perception is the
cognitive process of organizing and interpreting these sensory inputs to give them
meaning.
• What is light, and how does wavelength and amplitude relate to experiences of
colour and brightness? -✓✓ Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation that can
be detected by the human eye. It has two key properties that relate to our visual
experiences:
1. Wavelength: This is the distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs of a
light wave. Wavelength corresponds to our perception of color. Different
wavelengths within the visible spectrum (approximately 380-700 nanometers) are
perceived as different colors. For example:
- Shorter wavelengths (around 400-500 nm) appear as blues and violets
- Medium wavelengths (around 500-600 nm) appear as greens and yellows
- Longer wavelengths (around 600-700 nm) appear as oranges and reds
2. Amplitude: This refers to the height of the light wave, or how much energy it
carries. Amplitude relates to our perception of brightness. Higher amplitude waves
,have more energy and are perceived as brighter, while lower amplitude waves
appear dimmer.
• How is the amount of light that enters your eyes controlled? -✓✓ The amount of
light entering your eyes is controlled by the pupil reflex:
1. The pupil is the dark opening in the centre of the iris.
2. In bright light, the pupil constricts (becomes smaller) to reduce light entry.
3. In dim light, the pupil dilates (becomes larger) to allow more light in.
4. This process is controlled by the autonomic nervous system:
- The sphincter pupillae muscle constricts the pupil
- The dilator pupillae muscle dilates the pupil
5. The pupil reflex works quickly and continuously, adjusting to changing light
conditions to maintain optimal visual acuity and protect the eye's sensitive
structures
• How is light focused onto your retinas? -✓✓ Light is focused onto your retinas
through the accommodation reflex:
1. The lens in your eye changes shape to focus light on the retina.
2. For near objects:
- The lens becomes shorter and more convex
- This increases its refractive power
3. For far objects:
- The lens becomes longer and less convex
- This decreases its refractive power
4. The ciliary muscles control this shape change:
- They contract for near vision, making the lens more rounded
- They relax for distant vision, allowing the lens to flatten
, 5. This reflex occurs automatically in response to visual input.
6. With age, the lens becomes less flexible, making it harder to focus on near
objects (presbyopia).
• How is light translated into electrochemical languages of the brain? -✓✓ Light is
translated into electrochemical signals by photoreceptors (rods and cones) in the
retina:
- Rods (approximately 92 million): More sensitive to light, responsible for night
vision.
- Cones (approximately 4.6 million): Responsible for color vision and fine detail.
• What are the different jobs done by the rod and cone cells? -✓✓ Rod cells:
1. More sensitive to light than cones
2. Responsible for night vision and vision in low-light conditions
3. There are approximately 92 million rod cells in the human retina
4. Located more towards the edges of the retina
5. Do not provide colour vision
Cone cells:
1. Less sensitive to light than rods
2. Responsible for colour vision
3. Provide fine detail and visual acuity
4. There are approximately 4.6 million cone cells in the human retina
5. Concentrated in the centre of the retina, especially in the fovea
6. Function best in well-lit conditions
• What is the process of dark adaptation? -✓✓ Dark adaptation is the process
through which your eyes gradually become more sensitive to light, allowing you to
