2025 STRAIGHTERLINE PSY 101 EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS 2025/2026 GRADED A +
Rods - specialized light receptors in the retina that are responsible for sight when the
light level is low, not sensitive to color, but useful for night vision
What cells of the retina see in black and white and are used for night vision?
Wavelength - the distance between peaks (or trough)
hue - the color of an object determined by the wavelength of light it reflects
Absolute threshold - the weakest stimuli that can be detected 50% of the time
Data-based processing - taking basic sensory information about incoming stimuli and
processing it for further interpretation. what cameras and video recorders do - collect
data. "new experience, unplanned
Kinesthia - sensory system that conveys information about body position and movement
Knowledge Based Processing - drawing on past experiences and knowledge to
understand and interpret sensory information. memory of past experience and
knowledge to understand sensory information
Accommodation - the process by which the lens changes shape in order to focus on
images near and far
Gustation - the sensation of taste
Audition - the sense of hearing
Pitch - the degree of which a sound is high or low determined by the frequency of its
sound wave
Frequency - the number of sound waves passing a given point per second, higher
frequency is perceived as higher pitch, and lower frequency is perceived as lower pitch
Iris - the muscle responsible for changing the size of the pupil
Sensory Conflict Theory - motion sickness
Vestibular Sense - the sense of balance and equilibrium
Color Constancy - objects are perceived as maintaining their color, even with changing
sensory data
Parapsychology - the study of extrasensory perception (ESP)
,Size constancy - an object is perceived as maintaining its size, regardless of the image
projected in the retina
Shape Constancy - an object is perceived as maintaining its shape, regardless of the
image projected on the retina
Perceptual Constancy - the tendency to perceive objects in our environment as stable in
terms of shape, size, and color, regardless of changes in the sensory data received
Extrasensory perception (ESP) - the purported ability to obtain information about the
world without any sensory stimuli
Perceptual set - the tendency to perceive stimuli in a specific manner based on past
experience and expectation
Illusion - a perception in-congruent with sensory data
Feature Detectors - neurons in the visual cortex specialized in detecting specific
features of the visual experience, such as angles, lines, and movements
Weber's Law - the law stating that each of the five senses has its' own constant ratio
determining difference thresholds
Place Theory - states that pitch corresponds to the location of the vibrating hair cells
along the cochlea
Gestalt - the natural tendency for the brain to organize stimuli into a whole, rather than
perceiving the parts and pieces
Retina Disparity - the binocular cue that uses the difference between the images the two
eyes see to determine the distance of the objects
Cochlea - fluid-filled,small shape organ of the inner ear lined with the basilar membrane
Photoreceptors - cells that absorb light energy and turn it into chemical and electrical
signals for the brain to process
Retina - the layer of the eye that contains photo receptor cells and location for the
transduction of light energy into the neural activity
Proprioceptors - specialized nerve endings primarily located in the muscles and joints
that provide information about body location and orientation
Difference Threshold - the minimum difference between stimuli that can be noticed 50%
of the time. "noticeable difference"
, Amplitude - the height of the wave,(the distance from midpoint to peak or from midpoint
to the trough) of the wave. Taller height, the brighter the light
Monocular Cue - depth and distance cues that require the use of only one ye
Sensory Adaptation - sensory receptors tend to become less sensitive to constant
stimuli
Constant stimulation of a sense can produce adaptation (ex: putting on socks and not
feeling them throughout the day.)
Convergence - a bionocular cue used to judge distance and depth based on the tension
of the muscles that direct where eyes are focusing
When objects are closer to you, it requires greater eye strain to see objects closer to
you
Signal Detection Theory - a theory explaining how various factors influence our ability to
detect weak signals in the environment
A theory of perception in which internal (psychological) and external (environmental)
context both play a role in our perception of stimuli.
Temperaments - Sanguine (air), Choleric (fire), Melancholic (earth), Phlegmatic (water)
Structuralism - Willhelm Wundt(usa) & Edward Titchener(german)
The building blocks or structure of mental functioning. "Is the theory that elements of
human culture must be understood in terms of their relationship to a larger, overarching
system or structure." Model : To use introspection to probe responses to stimuli.
Functionalism - William James
It is how the mind evolved to help people adapt to the environment. Based on Darwin's
work of Natural Selection. "Refers to a psychological philosophy that considers mental
life and behavior in terms of active adaptation to the person's environment." Model :
Animal studies
Behaviorism - John Watson
The study of observable behaviors. "Psychology that confines itself to the study of
observable and quantifiable aspects of behavior and excludes subjective phenomena,
such as emotions or motives."
Pavlov & Skinner - Pavlov used his data in much of behaviorism ( pair white coat with
food, when white coat is seen, it signals or indicates food is coming) Skinner- actions
controlled by rewards and punishment. Important to learning, conditioning, rewards and
punishment.
Cognitive Behaviorism - Combined with conditioning and cognition into understanding
behavior. (Reactions and feelings to punishments) Expressed behavior.
ANSWERS 2025/2026 GRADED A +
Rods - specialized light receptors in the retina that are responsible for sight when the
light level is low, not sensitive to color, but useful for night vision
What cells of the retina see in black and white and are used for night vision?
Wavelength - the distance between peaks (or trough)
hue - the color of an object determined by the wavelength of light it reflects
Absolute threshold - the weakest stimuli that can be detected 50% of the time
Data-based processing - taking basic sensory information about incoming stimuli and
processing it for further interpretation. what cameras and video recorders do - collect
data. "new experience, unplanned
Kinesthia - sensory system that conveys information about body position and movement
Knowledge Based Processing - drawing on past experiences and knowledge to
understand and interpret sensory information. memory of past experience and
knowledge to understand sensory information
Accommodation - the process by which the lens changes shape in order to focus on
images near and far
Gustation - the sensation of taste
Audition - the sense of hearing
Pitch - the degree of which a sound is high or low determined by the frequency of its
sound wave
Frequency - the number of sound waves passing a given point per second, higher
frequency is perceived as higher pitch, and lower frequency is perceived as lower pitch
Iris - the muscle responsible for changing the size of the pupil
Sensory Conflict Theory - motion sickness
Vestibular Sense - the sense of balance and equilibrium
Color Constancy - objects are perceived as maintaining their color, even with changing
sensory data
Parapsychology - the study of extrasensory perception (ESP)
,Size constancy - an object is perceived as maintaining its size, regardless of the image
projected in the retina
Shape Constancy - an object is perceived as maintaining its shape, regardless of the
image projected on the retina
Perceptual Constancy - the tendency to perceive objects in our environment as stable in
terms of shape, size, and color, regardless of changes in the sensory data received
Extrasensory perception (ESP) - the purported ability to obtain information about the
world without any sensory stimuli
Perceptual set - the tendency to perceive stimuli in a specific manner based on past
experience and expectation
Illusion - a perception in-congruent with sensory data
Feature Detectors - neurons in the visual cortex specialized in detecting specific
features of the visual experience, such as angles, lines, and movements
Weber's Law - the law stating that each of the five senses has its' own constant ratio
determining difference thresholds
Place Theory - states that pitch corresponds to the location of the vibrating hair cells
along the cochlea
Gestalt - the natural tendency for the brain to organize stimuli into a whole, rather than
perceiving the parts and pieces
Retina Disparity - the binocular cue that uses the difference between the images the two
eyes see to determine the distance of the objects
Cochlea - fluid-filled,small shape organ of the inner ear lined with the basilar membrane
Photoreceptors - cells that absorb light energy and turn it into chemical and electrical
signals for the brain to process
Retina - the layer of the eye that contains photo receptor cells and location for the
transduction of light energy into the neural activity
Proprioceptors - specialized nerve endings primarily located in the muscles and joints
that provide information about body location and orientation
Difference Threshold - the minimum difference between stimuli that can be noticed 50%
of the time. "noticeable difference"
, Amplitude - the height of the wave,(the distance from midpoint to peak or from midpoint
to the trough) of the wave. Taller height, the brighter the light
Monocular Cue - depth and distance cues that require the use of only one ye
Sensory Adaptation - sensory receptors tend to become less sensitive to constant
stimuli
Constant stimulation of a sense can produce adaptation (ex: putting on socks and not
feeling them throughout the day.)
Convergence - a bionocular cue used to judge distance and depth based on the tension
of the muscles that direct where eyes are focusing
When objects are closer to you, it requires greater eye strain to see objects closer to
you
Signal Detection Theory - a theory explaining how various factors influence our ability to
detect weak signals in the environment
A theory of perception in which internal (psychological) and external (environmental)
context both play a role in our perception of stimuli.
Temperaments - Sanguine (air), Choleric (fire), Melancholic (earth), Phlegmatic (water)
Structuralism - Willhelm Wundt(usa) & Edward Titchener(german)
The building blocks or structure of mental functioning. "Is the theory that elements of
human culture must be understood in terms of their relationship to a larger, overarching
system or structure." Model : To use introspection to probe responses to stimuli.
Functionalism - William James
It is how the mind evolved to help people adapt to the environment. Based on Darwin's
work of Natural Selection. "Refers to a psychological philosophy that considers mental
life and behavior in terms of active adaptation to the person's environment." Model :
Animal studies
Behaviorism - John Watson
The study of observable behaviors. "Psychology that confines itself to the study of
observable and quantifiable aspects of behavior and excludes subjective phenomena,
such as emotions or motives."
Pavlov & Skinner - Pavlov used his data in much of behaviorism ( pair white coat with
food, when white coat is seen, it signals or indicates food is coming) Skinner- actions
controlled by rewards and punishment. Important to learning, conditioning, rewards and
punishment.
Cognitive Behaviorism - Combined with conditioning and cognition into understanding
behavior. (Reactions and feelings to punishments) Expressed behavior.
