20 multiple-choice questions on the Method of Average Error:

1. What is the Method of Average Error used for in psychophysics?

A) Measuring the absolute threshold

B) Calculating the just noticeable difference

C) Estimating the difference limen

D) Assessing the reliability of sensory judgments


Answer: D) Assessing the reliability of sensory judgments



2. In the Method of Average Error, participants are typically asked to:

A) Detect the presence or absence of a stimulus

B) Adjust the intensity of a stimulus until it is barely detectable

C) Make judgments about the magnitude of a stimulus

D) Rank stimuli in order of preference


Answer: C) Make judgments about the magnitude of a stimulus



3. Which of the following best describes the goal of the Method of Average Error?

A) To determine the smallest change in stimulus intensity that can be detected

B) To identify the point at which a stimulus becomes painful

C) To measure the average discrepancy between perceived and actual stimulus intensity

D) To establish the maximum intensity of a stimulus that can be detected


Answer: C) To measure the average discrepancy between perceived and actual stimulus intensity



4. The average error in the Method of Average Error is calculated by:

A) Subtracting each individual response from the true stimulus value and then averaging the differences

B) Averaging the absolute differences between each individual response and the true stimulus value

C) Adding each individual response to the true stimulus value and then averaging the sums

D) Dividing the true stimulus value by the sum of all individual responses

Answer: A) Subtracting each individual response from the true stimulus value and then averaging the differences



5. What does a larger average error value indicate in the Method of Average Error?

A) Higher accuracy in judging stimulus magnitude

B) Lower accuracy in judging stimulus magnitude

C) A stronger perceptual threshold

D) No relationship with accuracy in judging stimulus magnitude

Answer: B) Lower accuracy in judging stimulus magnitude



6. In the Method of Average Error, if participants consistently overestimate the intensity of a stimulus, what would be the sign of the average error?

A) Positive

B) Negative

C) Zero

D) It depends on the nature of the stimulus

Answer: A) Positive



7. The Method of Average Error is particularly useful for:

A) Measuring absolute thresholds

B) Assessing the reliability of sensory judgments across different conditions

C) Estimating the just noticeable difference

D) Determining the maximum intensity of a stimulus that can be detected

Answer: B) Assessing the reliability of sensory judgments across different conditions



8. Which of the following statements about the Method of Average Error is true?

A) It involves presenting stimuli at fixed intervals and asking participants to adjust them until they are barely detectable.

B) It is primarily used to measure the just noticeable difference.

C) It calculates the average difference between perceived and actual stimulus values.

D) It is unaffected by individual differences in perceptual sensitivity.

Answer: C) It calculates the average difference between perceived and actual stimulus values.



9. In the Method of Average Error, a participant consistently underestimates the intensity of a stimulus. What would be the sign of the average error?

A) Positive

B) Negative

C) Zero

D) It depends on the nature of the stimulus

Answer: B) Negative



10. The Method of Average Error is a measure of:

A) Sensitivity to changes in stimulus intensity

B) Consistency in judging stimulus magnitude

C) The absolute threshold

D) The maximum intensity of a stimulus that can be detected

Answer: B) Consistency in judging stimulus magnitude



11. How is the average error calculated in the Method of Average Error?

A) By summing the differences between perceived and actual stimulus values

B) By averaging the absolute differences between perceived and actual stimulus values

C) By dividing the sum of perceived stimulus values by the number of trials

D) By subtracting the perceived stimulus value from the actual stimulus value and then averaging the differences

Answer: D) By subtracting the perceived stimulus value from the actual stimulus value and then averaging the differences



12. What does it mean if the average error in the Method of Average Error is close to zero?

A) Participants are highly consistent in judging stimulus magnitude

B) Participants are accurate in judging stimulus magnitude

C) Participants consistently overestimate the intensity of the stimulus

D) Participants consistently underestimate the intensity of the stimulus

Answer: B) Participants are accurate in judging stimulus magnitude



13. The Method of Average Error is based on the assumption that:

A) Participants' judgments will always be accurate

B) Participants' judgments will vary randomly around the true stimulus value

C) Participants' judgments will always be biased

D) Participants' judgments will vary systematically with the true stimulus value

Answer: B) Participants' judgments will vary randomly around the true stimulus value



14. The Method of Average Error is commonly used in:

A) Signal detection theory

B) Classical conditioning experiments

C) Visual perception studies

D) Motor learning research

Answer: C) Visual perception studies



15. What does it mean if the average error in the Method of Average Error is consistently positive?

A) Participants are accurate in judging stimulus magnitude

B) Participants consistently overestimate the intensity of the stimulus

C) Participants consistently underestimate the intensity of the stimulus

D) Participants' judgments vary randomly around the true stimulus value

Answer: B) Participants consistently overestimate the intensity of the stimulus



16. Which of the following is NOT a step in conducting the Method of Average Error?

A) Presenting stimuli at various intensities

B) Asking participants to make judgments about stimulus magnitude

C) Calculating the average difference between perceived and actual stimulus values

D) Adjusting the intensity of the stimulus until it is barely detectable

Answer: D) Adjusting the intensity of the stimulus until it is barely detectable



17. The Method of Average Error provides a measure of:

A) The absolute threshold

B) The just noticeable difference

C) The average discrepancy between perceived and actual stimulus values

D) The maximum intensity of a stimulus that can be detected

Answer: C) The average discrepancy between perceived and actual stimulus values



18. What does a smaller average error value indicate in the Method of Average Error?

A) Higher accuracy in judging stimulus magnitude

B) Lower accuracy in judging stimulus magnitude

C) A stronger perceptual threshold

D) No relationship with accuracy in judging stimulus magnitude

Answer: A) Higher accuracy in judging stimulus magnitude



19. In the Method of Average Error, participants' judgments are compared to:

A) A fixed criterion

B) The true stimulus value

C) The maximum intensity of a stimulus

D) The just noticeable difference

Answer: B) The true stimulus value



20. Which of the following best describes the purpose of the Method of Average Error?

A) To establish the smallest change in stimulus intensity that can be detected

B) To determine the maximum intensity of a stimulus that can be detected

C) To measure the average discrepancy between perceived and actual stimulus values

D) To identify the point at which a stimulus becomes painful

Answer: C) To measure the average discrepancy between perceived and actual stimulus values