US High School Psychology Practice Exam

What is true of sensory response to stimuli of varying magnitudes?

1. It is consistent across all senses

2. It can become less responsive

3. It only applies to visual stimuli

4. Response increases with greater stimulus

The correct answer is: It can become less responsive

The concept of sensory response to stimuli of varying magnitudes can include adaptation and habituation, where sensitivity to a constant stimulus can decrease over time, making the sensory response less responsive. This is a common phenomenon observed in various senses. For example, when exposed to a constant sound, one may initially notice it but, over time, may become less aware of it as the auditory system adapts. This decrease in responsiveness is vital for organisms to focus on new and more relevant stimuli in their environment, rather than being overwhelmed by constant sensory input. The other options do not accurately convey the complexities of sensory adaptation. For instance, stating that the response is consistent across all senses ignores the fact that different senses may adapt at different rates and in different ways. The assertion that the response only applies to visual stimuli is incorrect because adaptation occurs across all sensory modalities, including auditory, tactile, and olfactory senses. Lastly, claiming that response increases with greater stimulus magnitude does not hold true in all cases, as there can be a threshold beyond which increased stimulus does not result in a proportional increase in response, especially when considering the limits of sensory receptors and potential adaptation effects.