AP Psychology 2.1 Perception Questions
Explain how processing, attention and Gestalt organisation shape perception, then apply depth cues and constancy to visual interpretations in context.
- Syllabus
- Effective Fall 2025
- Course
- AP Psychology
Exam points
- distinguish top-down expectations from bottom-up sensory processing in ambiguous scenarios
- apply selective attention, the cocktail-party effect, or inattentional blindness to behaviour
- use proximity, figure-ground, or closure to explain perceptual organisation of stimuli
- distinguish binocular from monocular cues and apply them to contextual depth judgments
- use size constancy to explain stable or mistaken interpretations as retinal images change
Covered syllabus points
Question 1
[Maximum number: 2]
For each of the following pairs of terms, explain how the placement or location of the first influences the process indicated by the second.
- Rods, peripheral vision
- A list of unrelated words, word recall
- Serotonin, reduction of depression
- Retinal disparity, depth perception
- Motor cortex, body movement
- Presence of others, performance
Question (a)
(a)
Retinal disparity, depth perception
[ 1 ]
Point 4: Retinal disparity, depth perception
Any of the following are acceptable responses:
A. Each eye sees a slightly different view, which facilitates perception of depth, distance, or three
dimensions.
B. Location/separation of the two eyes (or retinas) facilitates depth perception.
C. Two slightly different images of an object facilitate depth perception.
D. Retinal disparity provides a binocular cue that facilitates depth perception.
Examples
Score
"Distance between the eyes creates two different images needed for good depth perception."
Do not score
"Retinal disparity, which helps depth perception, occurs in the brain." (The response does not refer to
the eye.)
AP R◯ PSYCHOLOGY
2012 SCORING GUIDELINES
Question (b)
(b)
Proximity, perception
[ 1 ]
Point 7: Proximity, perception
Students must indicate an understanding of proximity and its impact on a specific perceptual process.
Pathways include the following:
A. Near versus far objects, people, or sounds affect perception of a specific quality of objects, people,
or sounds.
B. When objects, people, or sounds are close to each other, we perceive a whole (Gestalt).
C. People or objects in close proximity to the observer are perceived more positively over time (mere
exposure).
Examples
Score
"When you look at a bunch of trees, the ones that are smaller and blurrier will seem to be farther from
you."
"If you see the same person over and over again, like in your class, after a while you start to like them."
Do not score
"If objects have proximity, it affects perception." (An understanding of proximity is not indicated.)
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