← Sensation & Perception: AP Psychology Exam Prep

AP Psychology Exam Sample Test

Try 5 free practice questions with instant feedback. See how ready you are.

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Sample Questions

Question 1

What is the absolute threshold in sensation?

Answer: The minimum stimulus intensity needed to detect a stimulus 50% of the time. It represents the boundary between detecting and not detecting a stimulus.

Question 2

What does Weber's Law state about the just noticeable difference (JND)?

Answer: The JND between two stimuli is a constant proportion of the original stimulus. For example, if you need a 10% increase to notice a difference, that proportion stays constant regardless of the starting intensity.

Question 3

What is the difference threshold (just noticeable difference)?

Answer: The minimum difference in intensity between two stimuli that a person can detect 50% of the time. It is also called the JND.

Question 4

What is signal detection theory, and what two factors does it emphasize?

Answer: Signal detection theory explains how we detect stimuli by accounting for both the stimulus intensity (sensitivity) and the observer's decision criteria (bias), acknowledging that detection is not an all-or-nothing process.

Question 5

What is subliminal perception?

Answer: The processing of stimuli that occur below the absolute threshold for conscious awareness. Research suggests subliminal stimuli can influence attitudes but have limited strong behavioral effects.