Phantom words illustrate that perception is influenced by:

• A. Pure acoustic signals only
• B. Knowledge, beliefs, and expectations
• C. Visual cues only
• D. Tactile feedback

Answer: (B)

Phantom words show that perception is a constructive, top-down process guided by our knowledge, beliefs, and expectations. When the auditory input is ambiguous, the brain uses prior information to interpret what is heard, biasing perception toward familiar words or patterns you expect. As a result, you can perceive words that aren’t actually spoken, illustrating how cognitive context shapes sensory interpretation. This isn’t about raw acoustic signals alone, or about any single sensory cue; it’s about how what you know and expect can actively shape what you perceive.