Free Cognitive Psychology MCQs with Answers

• A. motion cues
• B. depth cues
• C. time cues
• D. all of the above

Explanation: For an unfamiliar object, perceived size depends strongly on depth information because retinal image size alone cannot distinguish a small…

• A. lens
• B. iris
• C. retina
• D. Coptic nerve

Explanation: The iris controls the amount of light entering the eye by constricting or dilating its central opening, the pupil.

• A. figure, ground
• B. good form, good continuation
• C. ground, background
• D. good form, circumscription

Explanation: The figure is the object that attracts attention, while the ground is the apparently continuous background behind it.

• A. more coarsely textured
• B. less hazy
• C. more distant
• D. closer

Explanation: If two objects are assumed to have the same actual size, the one forming the smaller retinal image is judged to be farther away.

• A. increases, decreases
• B. decreases, increases
• C. decreases, decreases
• D. a and b

Explanation: As an object moves farther away, its retinal image decreases, yet we continue to perceive its actual size as stable.

• A. adaptation
• B. accommodation
• C. continuity
• D. threshold

Explanation: Sensory adaptation is reduced sensitivity after prolonged exposure to an unchanging stimulus, so the bath feels less hot over time.

• A. eye convergence
• B. linear perspective
• C. relative image size of familiar objects
• D. occlusion

Explanation: Occlusion occurs when a nearer object blocks part of a farther object, so the blocking object is perceived as closer.

• A. closure
• B. proximity
• C. similarity
• D. common movement

Explanation: The Gestalt principle of common movement, or common fate, groups elements that move together and helps distinguish them from a stationary…

• A. interposition
• B. convergence
• C. closure
• D. linear perspective

Explanation: Convergence is a binocular cue because the brain uses the inward turning of both eyes to estimate distance, especially for nearby objects.

• A. the gamma phenomenon
• B. the principle of illusory circle
• C. the autokinetic illusion
• D. stroboscopic motion

Explanation: Motion pictures create the impression of continuous movement by rapidly displaying a sequence of still images, a phenomenon called…

• A. closure
• B. proximity
• C. disparity
• D. similarity

Explanation: Disparity is a binocular depth cue based on the different images received by the two eyes, not a Gestalt grouping principle.

• A. relative size
• B. good continuation
• C. interposition
• D. the Poggendroff illusion

Explanation: Interposition occurs when one object blocks part of another, making the blocking object appear closer and the partly hidden object farther…

• A. cornea
• B. lens
• C. retina
• D. pupil

Explanation: The fovea and blind spot are both specialised areas of the retina. The fovea provides the sharpest vision, whereas the blind spot is where…

• A. concentrated attending
• B. stimulus focusing
• C. selective attention
• D. structured perceiving

Explanation: Selective attention allows a person to focus on relevant information while filtering out competing distractions.

• A. Selfridge
• B. Bruner
• C. Broadbent
• D. Lockhart and Craik

Explanation: Donald Broadbent proposed an early selective-filter theory in which attention selects information for further processing based largely on…

• A. semantics
• B. pragmatics
• C. syntax
• D. pitch

Explanation: In dichotic listening, pitch or location can help a person select one conversation and filter out another.

• A. transudation
• B. sensation
• C. perception
• D. adaptation

Explanation: Optical illusions occur when the brain interprets sensory information inaccurately, producing a distorted perception of the stimulus.

• A. McDougall
• B. Jung
• C. Skinner
• D. Helmholtz

Explanation: Hermann von Helmholtz was an important early contributor to the psychology of perception, especially through his work on vision, color…

• A. Autokinetic effect
• B. Motion parallax
• C. the phi phenomenon
• D. The Muller-Lyer illusion

Explanation: The phi phenomenon makes rapidly presented stationary images appear to move, which is the perceptual basis of motion in cartoons and…

• A. object size
• B. perspective size
• C. retinal size
• D. a compromise between object size and perspective size

Explanation: Perceived size depends on both the object's retinal image and contextual distance information, so size judgments are commonly described as…