Which scenario best exemplifies the depth cue of relative clarity?

Study for the AP Psychology Sensation and Perception Test. Includes multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your AP exam!

The scenario involving smog affecting the visibility of distant buildings effectively exemplifies the depth cue of relative clarity. This depth cue relies on the observation that objects that are further away often appear less clear and more obscured due to atmospheric conditions. When there is a haze or smog in the air, it diminishes the sharpness and detail of distant objects, making them look blurrier than those in the foreground. This phenomenon helps the observer gauge the distance of objects; the clearer something appears, the closer it likely is.

In contrast, the other scenarios touch on different depth cues. Changes in sand texture with proximity relate more to texture gradient, where details become finer as distance increases. Converging roadside lines illustrate the depth cue of linear perspective, which shows how parallel lines appear to converge as they recede into the distance. Lastly, a nearby building appearing larger than a distant one represents the size constancy and the principle that objects that are physically larger closer to the observer also seem larger than those further away. Each of these scenarios highlights important aspects of perception, but the clarity that smog contributes to the visibility of buildings specifically underscores the concept of relative clarity regarding depth cues.

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