,PSYC101/PSYC 101 Module Exam 3 | General
Psychology | Portage Learning | Q & A | 2026 Edition
(PDF)
1. The process by which our sensory receptors detect and respond to stimuli is called:
A) Perception
B) Sensation
C) Transduction
D) Adaptation
Correct Answer: Sensation
Rationale: Sensation is the process by which our sensory receptors and nervous system receive and
represent stimulus energies from our environment. Perception is the process of organizing and
interpreting that sensory information. Transduction converts sensory energy into neural impulses.
2. The conversion of sensory stimulus energy into neural impulses is known as:
A) Sensation
B) Perception
C) Transduction
D) Adaptation
Correct Answer: Transduction
Rationale: Transduction is the conversion of one form of energy into another. In sensation, it is the
process of converting physical energy (light, sound, pressure) into neural impulses that the brain can
interpret.
3. A decrease in sensitivity to a constant, unchanging stimulus is called:
A) Sensory overload
,B) Sensory adaptation
C) Transduction
D) Difference threshold
Correct Answer: Sensory adaptation
Rationale: Sensory adaptation refers to the diminished sensitivity to a constant stimulus. For example,
you stop noticing the hum of an air conditioner after being in a room for a while because your sensory
receptors adapt to the unchanging stimulation.
4. What is the absolute threshold?
A) The smallest detectable difference between two stimuli
B) The minimum amount of stimulation required to detect a stimulus 50% of the time
C) The point at which a stimulus becomes painful
D) The level of stimulation that causes sensory adaptation
Correct Answer: The minimum amount of stimulation required to detect a stimulus 50% of the time
Rationale: The absolute threshold is the minimum stimulation needed to detect a particular stimulus
(e.g., light, sound, pressure) 50% of the time. It represents the boundary between what we can and
cannot perceive.
5. The just noticeable difference (JND) is:
A) The minimum amount of stimulation required to detect a stimulus 50% of the time
B) The smallest detectable difference between two stimuli
C) The point at which a stimulus becomes painful
D) The level of stimulation that causes sensory adaptation
Correct Answer: The smallest detectable difference between two stimuli
, Rationale: The difference threshold (or JND) is the minimum difference a person can detect between
two stimuli. It is the point at which a change in a stimulus becomes noticeable.
6. Weber's Law states that:
A) The absolute threshold is constant across all senses
B) The JND is a constant proportion of the original stimulus intensity
C) Sensory adaptation occurs more quickly for visual stimuli
D) Signal detection depends on both the stimulus and the observer's state
Correct Answer: The JND is a constant proportion of the original stimulus intensity
Rationale: Weber's Law states that the just noticeable difference (JND) between two stimuli is not a
fixed amount but rather a constant proportion of the original stimulus intensity. The larger the stimulus,
the larger the change needed to notice a difference.
7. According to signal detection theory, detecting a stimulus depends on:
A) The intensity of the stimulus only
B) The observer's psychological state only
C) The stimulus intensity and the observer's psychological and physiological state
D) The absolute threshold only
Correct Answer: The stimulus intensity and the observer's psychological and physiological state
Rationale: Signal detection theory proposes that the detection of a stimulus depends on three factors:
the intensity of the stimulus, the degree of background stimulation (noise), and the psychological and
physiological state of the perceiver (e.g., alertness, expectations, fatigue).
8. Which of the following is an example of top-down processing?
A) Seeing the individual letters of a word and then recognizing the word
B) Recognizing a familiar face in a crowd
Psychology | Portage Learning | Q & A | 2026 Edition
(PDF)
1. The process by which our sensory receptors detect and respond to stimuli is called:
A) Perception
B) Sensation
C) Transduction
D) Adaptation
Correct Answer: Sensation
Rationale: Sensation is the process by which our sensory receptors and nervous system receive and
represent stimulus energies from our environment. Perception is the process of organizing and
interpreting that sensory information. Transduction converts sensory energy into neural impulses.
2. The conversion of sensory stimulus energy into neural impulses is known as:
A) Sensation
B) Perception
C) Transduction
D) Adaptation
Correct Answer: Transduction
Rationale: Transduction is the conversion of one form of energy into another. In sensation, it is the
process of converting physical energy (light, sound, pressure) into neural impulses that the brain can
interpret.
3. A decrease in sensitivity to a constant, unchanging stimulus is called:
A) Sensory overload
,B) Sensory adaptation
C) Transduction
D) Difference threshold
Correct Answer: Sensory adaptation
Rationale: Sensory adaptation refers to the diminished sensitivity to a constant stimulus. For example,
you stop noticing the hum of an air conditioner after being in a room for a while because your sensory
receptors adapt to the unchanging stimulation.
4. What is the absolute threshold?
A) The smallest detectable difference between two stimuli
B) The minimum amount of stimulation required to detect a stimulus 50% of the time
C) The point at which a stimulus becomes painful
D) The level of stimulation that causes sensory adaptation
Correct Answer: The minimum amount of stimulation required to detect a stimulus 50% of the time
Rationale: The absolute threshold is the minimum stimulation needed to detect a particular stimulus
(e.g., light, sound, pressure) 50% of the time. It represents the boundary between what we can and
cannot perceive.
5. The just noticeable difference (JND) is:
A) The minimum amount of stimulation required to detect a stimulus 50% of the time
B) The smallest detectable difference between two stimuli
C) The point at which a stimulus becomes painful
D) The level of stimulation that causes sensory adaptation
Correct Answer: The smallest detectable difference between two stimuli
, Rationale: The difference threshold (or JND) is the minimum difference a person can detect between
two stimuli. It is the point at which a change in a stimulus becomes noticeable.
6. Weber's Law states that:
A) The absolute threshold is constant across all senses
B) The JND is a constant proportion of the original stimulus intensity
C) Sensory adaptation occurs more quickly for visual stimuli
D) Signal detection depends on both the stimulus and the observer's state
Correct Answer: The JND is a constant proportion of the original stimulus intensity
Rationale: Weber's Law states that the just noticeable difference (JND) between two stimuli is not a
fixed amount but rather a constant proportion of the original stimulus intensity. The larger the stimulus,
the larger the change needed to notice a difference.
7. According to signal detection theory, detecting a stimulus depends on:
A) The intensity of the stimulus only
B) The observer's psychological state only
C) The stimulus intensity and the observer's psychological and physiological state
D) The absolute threshold only
Correct Answer: The stimulus intensity and the observer's psychological and physiological state
Rationale: Signal detection theory proposes that the detection of a stimulus depends on three factors:
the intensity of the stimulus, the degree of background stimulation (noise), and the psychological and
physiological state of the perceiver (e.g., alertness, expectations, fatigue).
8. Which of the following is an example of top-down processing?
A) Seeing the individual letters of a word and then recognizing the word
B) Recognizing a familiar face in a crowd
