Individual Psychology and Behavior - AP Psychology

The just noticeable difference is the minimum value in which a change in a sensory stimulus may still be detected. An example of this would be if an observer could tell the difference in the brightness in a room of 20 lit light-bulbs if 5 were dimmed at once, but not if fewer were.

Weber's law describes how changes in the just noticeable difference are proportional to changes in the magnitude of that stimulus. For example, to use the previous case of the room and light-bulbs, if the just noticeable difference in a room of 20 lights was five bulbs, then the just noticeable difference in a room of 40 illuminated light bulbs should be 10. They have increased by a factor of two.

The absolute threshold is the minimum value of a stimulus that is sufficient to be detected. This is different from the just noticeable difference in that it is not addressing changes in a stimulus, but merely the detection of that stimulus itself.

Accommodation describes the way in which the eyes will adjust to keep an object in focus depending on its proximity. This does not have to do with just noticeable changes in a stimulus.

The vestibular sense is that which controls our sense of balance and orientation. It is produced as a result of movement sensitive receptor cells in fluid filled chambers within the inner ear called the semi-circular canals. Changes in the body's orientation in space cause this fluid to move, as it seeks to find its level under the affect of gravity. This movement is detected by the hair-like receptor cells within the semi-circular canals, which send signals to the brain.

As a result of this sense, we are aware of our balance, and are able to stand upright and move without falling over.

Pain receptors in the skin help keep us away from injurious stimuli, and the olfactory sense helps us to avoid noxious stimuli.

Hormones and physical factors help prevent us from overeating, and the pupil and pain receptors in the eye help keep us from staring directly into the sun- that and hopefully common sense!

The minimum amount of energy for a stimulus to be registered as a sensation is known as the absolute threshold. Any stimulus that occurs too weakly to surpass this threshold will not result in a sensation, and will thus be undetected.

The just noticeable difference refers to the minimum amount of change in a stimulus necessary for a difference in its intensity to be recognized.

Transduction is the conversion of energy from one form into another, for example, from light energy into electrical energy during vision.

The minimum threshold may sound like the correct answer, but it is in fact not the correct term. The absolute threshold is the appropriate label for the phenomenon.

The electromagnetic spectrum is comprised of energies of many different wavelengths and frequencies, among which are gamma, X-rays, ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, microwaves, and radio waves. The human eye is capable of interpreting visual information carried in the frequency range of visible light. Some other species may perceive in ultraviolet or infrared frequencies as well.

None of the other options listed provide examples of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Audition is the sense of hearing. When we hear a sound, we are in fact detecting vibrations in the environment caused by sound pressure waves. The frequencies of these vibrations are converted into electrical information within the cochlea of the inner ear, and give rise to the sensation of sound by the brain.

Tactile pressure and other tactile stimuli would be detected by skin receptors throughout the body.

The eyes detect visible light, a component of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Audio waves is not the correct term for sound waves.

Information only remains in our short-term memory for about 30 seconds. At the end of this time, this information is either forgotten or transferred to long-term memory.

Oxytocin works on a positive feedback loop because the actions which oxytocin causes also cause more oxytocin to be produced. This can be seen, among other examples, in the contractions of labor.

Chromosomes are complex structures that contain a molecule of DNA and a protein. DNA strands contain genetic information.

Motivation is not included among the list of human needs according to Maslow. Maslow identified five levels in his hierarchy: physiological, safety, love, esteem, and self-actualization.

Short-term memories are stored differently than long-term memories. Short-term memories generally include quick observations, and are only stored for 10-30 seconds. Short-term memories must be processed and stored as long-term memory in order to be accessible for any longer period of time.

The correct answer here is homeostasis, a internally balanced state in which our needs, and the drives created by those needs, are satisfied. When one is experiencing needs and drives, one is out of homeostasis.

Cannon-Bard theory states that we feel emotions and experience physiological reactions such as sweating, trembling, and muscle tension simultaneously.

Association areas, such as Broca's area, are involved in "higher" brain processes such as pattern recognition, speaking, thinking and memory.

Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that is most responsible for mood control. Therefore, a lack of serotonin would likely result in clinical depression, a mood disorder.

Olfactory cells are receptors involved with our sense of smell, while the other answer choices are all related to vision, and are located in the eye.

There are five main sensory systems in the body relating to our senses. The olfactory system is the one that deals with smell. The gustatory system involves taste, the auditory system sound, and the nervous system involves all senses.

According to Freud, repression was the mind’s first defense against harmful memories or psychological issues. Freud defined repression as the ego blocking an inappropriate wish or desire from being known or recognized consciously.

Intrinsic motivation refers to doing something because of an internal reward, such as genuinely finding an activity fun, doing something because “it makes me feel good,” etc. Outside, tangible rewards for doing the activity are not really taken into account when deciding whether or not to do it. Extrinsic motivation refers to doing something because of an external reward, such as earning money so you can buy a new computer, joining an after-school activity to boost your college application, etc. As a result, all of the answers provided refer to extrinsic motivations, except for an interest in the material. Reading about psychology essentially “just for fun” is the only choice that reflects an internal reward for reading the textbook.

Parker's lethargic attitude and unwillingness to participate in school are most indicative of "depression." His personality has not been affected, but more so his mood and his outlook. His lack of energy is not a sign of mania and his intact personality rules out disassociate identity disorder and post traumatic stress disorder.