In the context of AP Psychology, what is the 'visual cliff' most accurately defined as?

• A. A laboratory apparatus used to test depth perception in infants and young animals by creating the illusion of a drop-off.
• B. A phenomenon where visual illusions cause individuals to misjudge the size of objects.
• C. A type of visual agnosia resulting from damage to the occipital lobe.
• D. A psychological disorder characterized by the inability to recognize visual stimuli.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the context of the 'visual cliff' within developmental psychology, particularly in studies of perception.
2. Step 2: Recognize that the 'visual cliff' is an experimental setup designed to investigate depth perception, especially in infants and young animals.
3. Step 3: Note that the apparatus creates an illusion of a sudden drop-off or cliff using a glass surface with a patterned floor beneath it, which appears to be at two different depths.
4. Step 4: Understand that researchers observe whether infants or animals hesitate or avoid crossing the 'cliff,' which indicates their ability to perceive depth.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the 'visual cliff' is best defined as a laboratory apparatus used to test depth perception by creating the illusion of a drop-off, rather than a visual illusion, agnosia, or psychological disorder.