In the context of AP Psychology, what does the term amplitude most accurately refer to?

• A. The frequency of a wave, which determines the pitch of a sound
• B. The speed at which a wave travels through a medium
• C. The distance between two consecutive wave peaks, which determines the wavelength
• D. The height of a wave, which determines the intensity or strength of a stimulus such as sound or light

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand that in psychology, especially in sensation and perception, waves are often used to describe stimuli such as sound and light.
2. Step 2: Recognize that amplitude refers to the height of a wave, which is the maximum displacement from the wave's resting position.
3. Step 3: Know that amplitude is directly related to the intensity or strength of the stimulus; for example, in sound waves, greater amplitude means louder sounds.
4. Step 4: Differentiate amplitude from other wave properties: frequency (which relates to pitch), wavelength (distance between peaks), and speed (how fast the wave travels).
5. Step 5: Conclude that amplitude most accurately refers to the height of a wave, determining the intensity or strength of a stimulus such as sound or light.