Chapter 5
The Perceptual Context
_____________________________
TEST QUESTIONS
Multiple Choice
1. Perception is defined as
a.
b.
c.
d.
long-term cognitive information processing.
short-term cognitive information processing.
the mental interpretation of external stimuli via sensation.
the cognitive interpretation of selective attention.
2. The function of the sensory register is
a. to store information long enough for an individual to decide which to
process and which to ignore.
b. to categorize incoming information.
c. to encode sensation.
d. to encode iconic information.
3. Perceptual filters alter and change how humans interpret information,
physiologically, sociologically, and
a.
b.
c.
d.
genetically.
descriptively.
prescriptively.
psychologically.
4. One reason for cross-cultural differences in perception is due to
a.
b.
c.
d.
conditions in the physical environment.
short-term memory loss.
long-term memory loss.
interference.
1
5. The "carpentered-world hypothesis" explains that
a. persons raised in environments shaped by carpenters interpret nonrectangular figures as rectangles seen in perspective.
b. persons raised in environments shaped by carpenters interpret nonrectangular figures as optical illusions.
c. persons raised in environments shaped by carpenters interpret nonrectangular figures as rectangles seen backwards.
d. persons raised in environments shaped by carpenters interpret nonrectangular figures as non-rectangular figures.
6. Information in short-term memory is usually lost because of
a.
b.
c.
d.
sensory register errors.
olfactic stimulation.
iconic stimulation.
interference.
7. Episodic long-term memory refers to
a. the preservation of auditory stimulation.
b. the preservation of information pertaining to the unique experiences of the
individual.
c. the preservation of a person's general conceptual world.
d. the preservation of iconic stimulation.
8. Semantic long-term memory refers to
a. the preservation of auditory stimulation.
b. the type of information pertaining to the unique experiences of the
individual.
c. the preservation of a person's general conceptual world.
d. the preservation of iconic stimulation.
9. Persons in cultures with little formal education tend to remember information
based on its
a.
b.
c.
d.
uniqueness.
novelty.
organization of unrelated items.
functionality.
2
10. Classifying, sorting, or arranging information into identifiable compartments that
share certain features or characteristics is called
a.
b.
c.
d.
iconic perception.
sensory reproduction.
sensory replication.
categorization.
11. Some psychologists believe that stereotyping is an automatic informationprocessing strategy, meaning that
a. stereotyping is an unintentional and/or instinctive activation of thoughts
that have been learned through repeated stimulation.
b. stereotyping is intentional and requires the conscious attention of the
information processor.
c. stereotyping is a subset of categorization with an added attitudinal
component.
d. most people are innately prejudiced against people different from
themselves.
12. The tendency for people to see members of an outgroup as less diverse and
more stereotypic than the members of the ingroup see themselves is called
a. the illusory correlation principle.
b. the outgroup homogeneity effect.
c. the illusory homogeneity effect.
d. the outgroup correlation effect.
13. The perception that one's ingroup is the center of everything whereby all other
groups are scaled and rated with reference to the ingroup is called
a.
b.
c.
d.
categorization.
stereotyping.
ethnocentrism.
authoritarianism.
14. Expressions such as "Jew them down, top of the totem pole, the blind leading the
blind" are representative of
a. the distance of indifference.
b. the distance of avoidance.
c. the distance of disparagement.
3
d. the distance of disregard.
15. Ethnocentric attributional bias occurs when
a. ingroup members make internal attributions for the positive behavior of the
other ingroup members while making external attributions for their
negative behavior.
b. ingroup members make external attributions for the positive behavior of
the other ingroup members while making internal attributions for their
negative behavior.
c. ingroup members make internal attributions for the positive behavior of the
other ingroup members and also make internal attributions for their
negative behavior.
d. ingroup members make external attributions for the positive behavior of
the other ingroup members while also making external attributions for their
negative behavior.
16. Racist ideology is a belief in:
a.
b.
c.
d.
the moral or intellectual superiority of men over women.
the degree to which one sees his or her culture as superior.
the universality of ethnocentrism.
the moral or intellectual superiority of one race over another.
17. Ethnocentrism is a belief in:
a. the moral or intellectual superiority of men over women.
b. the degree to which one sees his or her culture as superior.
c. the universality of racism.
d. the moral or intellectual superiority of one race over another.
18. In their contemporary conceptualization of ethnocentrism, Neuliep and
McCroskey argue that:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Ethnocentrism is contemporary.
Ethnocentrism is not contemporary.
Ethnocentrism is not necessarily pejorative (negative).
Ethnocentrism is necessarily pejorative (negative).
19. Which of the following statements is NOT true regarding ethnocentrism.
a. Everyone is, to some degree, ethnocentric.
4
b. Some people are completely non-ethnocentric.
c. The term comes from the Greek words ‘ethnos’ and ‘kentron.’
d. Ethnocentrism fosters loyalty and patriotism.
Essay/Short Answer
20. Describe the three stages of human information processing.
21. Describe the difference between categorization and stereotyping.
22. List and describe the functions of categorization.
23. List and describe the consequences of categorization.
24. Define ethnocentrism and discuss its causes and effects.
25. Discuss the fundamental assumptions of the frustration-aggression hypothesis of
racism.
5