Behavioral Science 2.1 Flashcards
Sensation
(Transduction) converts physical electromagnetic and auditory signals into internal electrical signals in the nervous system
Perception
Processing and manipulation of previously external signals that have been internalized by sensation
Sensory receptors
Neurons that respond to stimuli and create electrical signals
Distal stimuli
Stimuli originating outside of the body
Proximal stimuli
Stimuli that directly interact and affect sensory receptors
Ganglia
Collection of many neuron cell bodies
Projection areas
Parts of the brain which receive electro chemical signals and further analyze and three input
Photo receptor
Response to electromagnetic waves in the visible spectrum
Hair cells
Respond to movement of fluid near the inner ear
Nociceptors
Skin receptors responding to pain
Thermo receptors
Responding to changes in temperature
Osmo receptors
Responding to the osmolarity of blood
Olfactory receptors
Smells
Taste receptors
Responding to taste
Absolute threshold
The minimum amount of stimulus needed to activate a sensory system
Subliminal perception
Stimulus that is transduced but not perceived
Discrimination testing
Presenting a subject with an original and slightly changed stimulus increasing the difference until it is noticed
Difference threshold
Minimum difference in stimuli needed to perceive the change
Webers law
For a difference in stimuli to be noticed the change must be at least 0.68%
Signal detection theory
Detection of stimuli can be affected by other external or internal stimuli
Signal detection experiment
Hits Signify when the subject correctly identifies if there was or was not a signal. Signals are presented or withheld and the subject provides a response. Identify response bias
Response bias
Refers to the tendency to respond to a stimulus in a particular way due to non-sensory factors
Non-sensory factors
Extra stimuli which are not meant to be transduced as a signal
Sensory adaptation
A change in physiological and psychological components stimulus response due to conditions or tendencies