5&6 LA Flashcards
- Not everything that is sensed is perceived. Do you think there could ever be a case where something could be perceived without being sensed?
Generally, perception requires sensory input. However, in some cases like hallucinations or vivid dreams, perception can occur without external sensory stimuli because the brain interprets internal signals as if they were external.
- Please generate a novel example of how just noticeable difference can change as a function of stimulus intensity.
Imagine holding a 1-pound weight; adding 0.2 pounds might be noticeable. However, if holding a 50-pound weight, adding 0.2 pounds may go unnoticed. This demonstrates how JND increases with stimulus intensity.
- Why do you think other species have such different ranges of sensitivity for both visual and auditory stimuli compared to humans?
Different sensory ranges reflect evolutionary adaptation to environments. For example, bats have ultrasonic hearing for echolocation, while humans lack this ability due to different survival needs.
- Why do you think humans are especially sensitive to sounds with frequencies that fall in the middle portion of the audible range?
Human hearing evolved to detect frequencies within the range of human speech (around 500–4000 Hz), which is critical for communication and survival.
- Compare the two theories of colour perception. Are they completely different?
The trichromatic theory explains how cones in the retina detect primary colors (red, green, blue), while the opponent-process theory explains how these signals are processed in the brain to perceive color contrasts (e.g., red vs. green). They complement each other, addressing different stages of color processing.
- Colour is not a physical property of our environment. What function (if any) do you think colour vision serves?
Color vision helps distinguish objects, identify ripe food, and enhance survival by making critical details in the environment more visible.
- Given what you’ve read about sound localization, from an evolutionary perspective, how does sound localization facilitate survival?
Localizing sound helps identify threats, find prey, or locate companions, improving survival and reproduction chances.
- How can temporal and place theories both be used to explain our ability to perceive the pitch of sound waves with frequencies up to 4000 Hz?
Temporal theory explains low-frequency sounds through the rate of auditory nerve firing. Place theory explains high-frequency sounds by identifying where vibrations occur along the cochlea. Together, they account for the perception of pitches up to 4000Hz
- Many people experience nausea while traveling in a car, plane, or boat. How might you explain this as a function of sensory interaction?
Motion sickness arises from conflicting sensory signals: the inner ear detects movement, but the eyes may not perceive it, leading to confusion in the brain.
- If you heard someone say that they would do anything not to feel the pain associated with significant injury, how would you respond given what you’ve just read?
Pain is crucial for survival; it signals injury or danger. While managing pain is important, eliminating it entirely could lead to unrecognized harm and greater risks.
- Do you think women experience pain differently than men? Why do you think this is?
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Research suggests women may experience pain more intensely due to hormonal differences, genetic factors, and cultural influences on pain expression and reporting
- The central tenet of Gestalt psychology is that the whole is different from the sum of its parts. What does this mean in the context of perception?
Gestalt principles emphasize that we perceive organized wholes (e.g., faces) rather than individual parts (e.g., eyes, nose). This reflects the brain’s ability to create meaningful patterns from sensory input.
- Take a look at the following figure. How might you influence whether people see a duck or a rabbit?
To see a duck, emphasize features like the “bill”; to see a rabbit, highlight “ears.” Contextual cues and labels can shape perception.
- Have you ever failed to notice something that was right in front of you because you were focusing on something else? What was it?
When deeply engaged in a conversation, I once failed to notice a friend waving at me. Their presence surprised me when pointed out because my attention was fixed elsewhere.
- Explain why your pets can hear things that you cannot.
Pets have better sensitivity to high-frequency sounds due to evolutionary adaptations. Dogs, for instance, hear sounds humans can’t because they evolved to detect prey and predators.
- Think about a photograph or a piece of art that demonstrates the depth perception cue of linear perspective. Describe it.
In a photo of a road, the parallel lines converge at the horizon, providing a depth cue known as linear perspective.
- Would you rather lose your vision or your hearing? Why?
I might choose to lose hearing because vision is more critical for navigation, reading, and accessing information. However, the decision depends on personal priorities.
- Why do you think food tastes so bland when you have a stuffy nose?
Congestion blocks olfactory receptors, reducing flavor perception. Foods taste blander because smell contributes significantly to flavor.
- Have you ever sung the wrong lyrics to a song? How did you react when you learned the correct lyrics?
Discovering the correct lyrics can change my perception of the song’s meaning, sometimes enhancing my appreciation of it.
- Why are rotating shift work schedules so problematic for people? What can be done to deal with their negative effects?
Rotating shifts disrupt circadian rhythms, leading to sleep disorders, fatigue, and decreased cognitive performance. Solutions include consistent schedules and light exposure therapy.
- Why do you think different animals have different sleep-wake cycles?
Sleep patterns evolve based on ecological niches. Nocturnal animals avoid predators and conserve energy during the day, while diurnal species like humans benefit from daylight for activities
- How do you think activity level affects the amount of sleep a person requires?
More active individuals likely require more sleep for recovery. Sedentary individuals may need less, but quality sleep is vital for everyone.
- How might researchers study the brain areas involved in sleep regulation?
Researchers could use neuroimaging techniques, such as fMRI, or study the effects of targeted brain lesions in animals.
- What are some of the criticisms of Freud’s dream theory?
Critics argue it lacks empirical evidence and relies too heavily on subjective interpretations, making it unscientific.
