Psych Sim: http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/gray/content/psychsim5/launcher.html
AP PSYCHOLOGY
MS. DUCO
PsychSim 5: VISUAL ILLUSIONS
Name: _______________________________
Date: ________________________________
This activity offers the opportunity to test your susceptibility to four famous illusions by having
you adjust the length or position of one part of the stimulus to match the apparent length or
position of another part. USE THE DEFINITION IN EXPLAINING YOUR ANSWERS
The Müller-Lyer Illusion
1. What were your results on the Müller-Lyer Illusion test? ____________
2. How is this illusion related to depth perception?
3. What were your results on the second Müller-Lyer Illusion test? ____________
4. Was your pattern of performance similar to the first set of trials, or did the explanation of
the illusion affect your performance? Describe your performance on the two sets of trials,
indicating whether you did anything on the second set of trials to compensate for the
illusion.
The Ponzo Illusion
5. What were your results on the Ponzo Illusion test? ____________
6. How is this illusion related to size constancy and depth perception?
7. Considering the explanation for this illusion, would you expect this illusion to be affected
by culture? Explain your answer
8. What were your results on the second Ponzo Illusion test? ____________
9. Did knowing the cause of this illusion help you overcome your susceptibility to it on your
second trial? Explain your thinking.
Psych Sim: http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/gray/content/psychsim5/launcher.html
Mouse Party:
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/drugs/mouse.html
Go to the AP Psych website and find a link to mouse party under “States of Consciousness” Answer the
following questions:
Eddie the Ecstasy Mouse
1) When the transporter takes in the ecstasy, what does it do with the excess serotonin?
2) How does ecstasy cause “the high”? In other words, how does it over stimulate the receptors?
3) What are the serotonin pathways responsible for that ecstasy effects?
Annie the Alcohol Mouse
1) GABA Neurotransmitters are responsible for what?
2) What two things happen when Alcohol enters the brain?
3) Why is memory affected when people drink too much?
Carter the Cocaine Mouse
1) What happens when cocaine blocks the dopamine transporters?
2) Why are cocaine users so fidgety?
Miley the Marijuana Mouse
1) Cannabinoid receptors turn off the release of what?
Psych Sim: http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/gray/content/psychsim5/launcher.html
2) What does THC do?
3) How are THC and anandamide similar? How are they different?
4) Name 2 parts of the brain marijuana affects.
Lucy the LSD Mouse
1) Why does LSD have complex sensory effects?
2) What is the LC and what does it do?
Max the Meth Mouse
1) How does Meth get into your body’s cells?
2) What does the excess dopamine end up doing?
3) Why is Meth so addictive?