2A. Perception

Question 1

Define “perception”

Answer 1

The active process of organising the stimulus output and giving it meaning

Question 2

Differentiate between top-down and bottom-up processing

Answer 2

Bottom up = sensing of environmental stimuli by brain to form a unified perception
Top down = prior expectations and knowledge which influences perception

Question 3

Recall 2 main types of attention

Answer 3

Focused (watching one person performing)

Divided (playing in an orchestra- have to listen to others + watch the conductor)

Question 4

Define “selective attention”

Answer 4

Maintain behavioural set in the face of distracting/ competing stimuli

Question 5

What are the 2 classes of factors which influence ATTENTION? Give examples of each of these

Answer 5

Stimulus characteristics: 
Intensity (shout vs whisper)
Novelty 
Movement (more movement=more attention)
Contrast (eg contrasting colours)
Repetition of stimulus (someone screaming your name every 2 seconds) 

Personal: 
motives (eg hungry=food)
mood (affects what u focus on)
Arousal (tired= sleep in lectures)
threats (scary= will focus more)
interests (hobby= will focus more)

Question 6

Recall 4 examples of factors affecting PERCEPTION of physical symptoms

Answer 6

past experience (poor kids overestimate size of coins)

Emotions (anxiety increases threat perception)

Cultural background

environment

Expectations (more likely to hurt if you tell someone its gonna hurt)

current drive state/arousal state. (hungry guy will more likely notice food over other things)