In the context of visual perception, what does 'relative clarity' refer to in AP Psychology?

• A. Objects that are larger in size are always perceived as being closer than smaller objects.
• B. Objects that move faster across the retina are perceived as being farther away.
• C. Objects that appear sharper and less hazy are perceived as being closer than objects that appear more blurred or hazy.
• D. Objects that are higher in the visual field are perceived as being closer than those lower in the field.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand that 'relative clarity' is a monocular depth cue used in visual perception to help the brain interpret the distance of objects based on their visual sharpness.
2. Step 2: Recognize that objects that appear sharper and clearer are typically perceived as being closer because the atmosphere causes distant objects to appear hazier or more blurred.
3. Step 3: Contrast this with other depth cues such as size, motion, and position in the visual field, which rely on different principles (e.g., larger objects or faster-moving objects might be perceived differently).
4. Step 4: Note that 'relative clarity' specifically refers to the clarity or sharpness of objects, not their size, speed, or vertical position in the visual field.
5. Step 5: Conclude that in AP Psychology, 'relative clarity' means that objects appearing sharper and less hazy are perceived as closer than those that appear more blurred or hazy.