Attention and Perception — Practice Quiz

The initial awareness about a stimulus received through sense organs

Step 1: We need to identify the correct definition of sensation from the options. Step 2: Sensation is defined as the initial or primary awareness about any stimulus — it is the elementary raw material of knowledge about the external world. Step 3: It occurs when a stimulus stimulates a sensory receptor and that stimulation travels to the brain, creating a preliminary impression. Step 4: 'Meaningful interpretation' describes perception, not sensation. Remembering past experiences describes memory. Decision-making is a higher cognitive function. Step 5: Therefore, the correct answer is 'The ini

Transduction

Step 1: The question asks about the conversion of physical energy into neural signals. Step 2: When a stimulus reaches our sensory receptors, the physical energy (like light or sound) cannot be sent directly to the brain. Step 3: It must first be converted into neural (electrical) impulses — this conversion process is called transduction. Step 4: Perception is the interpretation of sensation. Adaptation refers to the eye adjusting to changes in light. Accommodation is the adjustment of the eye lens to focus objects. Step 5: Therefore, 'Transduction' is the correct answer.

Gestalt psychologists

Step 1: The question asks which school of psychology proposed the famous principles of perceptual organisation. Step 2: Gestalt psychologists — including Max Wertheimer, Kurt Koffka, and Wolfgang Kohler — studied how humans perceive whole patterns rather than individual parts. Step 3: The word 'Gestalt' means 'whole' or 'form' in German, which reflects their core idea. Step 4: They proposed laws like proximity, similarity, continuity, closure, and simplicity to explain how we organise visual stimuli. Step 5: Behaviourists focus on behaviour and reinforcement, Functionalists on mental functions

It fills in the missing parts to perceive a complete whole

Step 1: The Law of Closure is one of the Gestalt principles of perceptual organisation. Step 2: When we see an incomplete figure — for example, a broken circle — our brain automatically fills in the gaps to perceive it as a complete, whole shape. Step 3: This shows that our perception has a natural tendency to complete incomplete patterns. Step 4: Our brain does not ignore the figure, break it apart, or just see the visible parts — it actively works to create a complete perception. Step 5: Therefore, the correct answer is 'It fills in the missing parts to perceive a complete whole'.