Attention and Perception

Question 1

Define sensation

Answer 1

• Sensation: the stimulus-detection process by which our sense organs respond to and translate environmental stimuli into nerve impulses that are sent to the brain.

Question 2

Define perception

Answer 2

• Perception: the active process of organising the stimulus output and giving it meaning.

Question 3

Explain top-down processing

Answer 3

• This is processing in light of existing knowledge. Influenced by many psychological influences such as motives, expectations, previous experiences and cultural expectations
• e.g. ‘backmasking’
• This is when sensation comes into the brain; uses lots of different ideas and beliefs from the memory to make sense of the information

Question 4

Explain bottom-up processing

Answer 4

• Individual elements are combined to make a unified perception.
• e.g. Shapes of the word, colour, recognising the symbol, letters of the alphabet
• The stimulus-detection process by which our sense organs respond and translate environmental stimuli into nerve impulses that are sent to the brain.
  To make sense of the information, BOTH of these aspects are used.

Question 5

What are the two types of attention

Answer 5

Divided and focused

Question 6

What is the definition of focused attention

Answer 6

• Focused Attention: the ability to respond discretely to specific visual, auditory or tactile stimuli.

Question 7

What is the definition of divided attention

Answer 7

• Divided Attention: the highest level of attention and it refers to the ability to respond simultaneously to multiple tasks or multiple task demands.

Question 8

6 factors influencing perception?

Answer 8

• Attention
• Current drive state (arousal)
• Emotions
• Individual values
• Environment
• Cultural background

Question 9

10 factors influencing attention? (and the 2 categories of factors

Answer 9

• Stimulus Factors (e.g. intensity, novelty, movement, contrast, repetition)
• Personal Factors (e.g. motives, interests, threats, mood, arousal)