5a: Perception & attention

Question 1

Define sensation and perception

Answer 1

Sensation = Stimulus detection system by which our sensory organs respond to stimuli and translate environmental stimuli into nerve impulses. Physiological process

Perception = Active process of organising stimulus output and giving it meaning

Question 2

What is top-down processing?

Answer 2

Processing a stimulus using our pre-existing knowledge:

• Motives
• Expectations
• Experiences
• Culture

Question 3

What is bottom-up processing?

Answer 3

Combining individual elements (e.g. sound + sight) to make a unified perception.
It’s how we make sense of the impulses

Question 4

What is attention? Give examples of different types of attention

Answer 4

Attention = the process of focusing conscious awareness, providing heightened sensitivity to a limited range of experience
2 types of attention:
Focused attention
DIVIDED attention (more than one thing at the same time)

Question 5

Factors affecting perception?

Answer 5

• Attention
• Past experience
• Current drive state (e.g. more likely to notice food-related stimuli when hungry)
• Emotions (anxiety increases threat perception)
• Environment
• Culture

Question 6

Factors affecting attention?

Answer 6

Stimulus factors:

• Intensity
• Novelty
• Movement
• Contrast
• Repetition

Personal factors:

• Motives
• Interests
• Threats
• Mood
• Arousal