AP Psychology Practice Test

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Study for the AP Psychology Exam with a comprehensive quiz that includes flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question is accompanied by hints and explanations to enhance understanding. Prepare effectively for your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

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What is the purpose of a visual cliff experiment?

To measure clarity of vision
To test color perception
To evaluate depth perception in infants and young animals
To determine the height at which fear of falling develops

The correct answer is: To evaluate depth perception in infants and young animals

The visual cliff experiment is designed to evaluate depth perception in infants and young animals. This classic study, first conducted by Eleanor J. Gibson and Richard D. Walk in 1960, involves a glass surface that creates the illusion of a drop-off, allowing researchers to observe whether a child or animal will venture across the "cliff" to reach a caregiver or a toy. The setup helps determine if the subject can perceive depth and understand the risks associated with falling. Infants who are able to perceive depth will often hesitate or avoid crawling out onto the "cliff," indicating an understanding of spatial relationships and potential danger, while those who do not perceive the depth may crawl across without hesitation. This experiment reveals critical information about the development of depth perception and visual acuity in early life stages.