Ch. 4

Question 1

absolute threshold

Answer 1

minimum amount of stimulus energy that must be present for the stimulus to be detected 50% of the time

Question 2

just noticeable difference

Answer 2

difference in stimuli required to detect a difference between the stimuli

Question 3

mere-exposure effects

Answer 3

the result of developing a more positive attitude towards a stimulus after repeated instances of mere exposure to it.

Question 4

sensation

Answer 4

what happens when sensory information is detected by a sensory receptor

Question 5

signal detection theory

Answer 5

change in stimulus detection as a function of current mental state

Question 6

transduction

Answer 6

conversion from sensory stimulus energy to action potential

Question 7

bottom-up processing

Answer 7

system in which perceptions are built from sensory input

Question 8

inattentional blindness

Answer 8

failure to notice something that is completely visible because of a lack of attention

Question 9

perception

Answer 9

way that sensory information is interpreted and consciously experienced

Question 10

top-down processing

Answer 10

interpretation of sensations is influenced by available knowledge, experiences, and thoughts

Question 11

cone

Answer 11

specialized photoreceptor that works best in bright light conditions and detects color

Question 12

cornea

Answer 12

transparent covering over the eye

Question 13

fovea

Answer 13

small indentation in the retina that contains cones

Question 14

hertz (Hz)

Answer 14

cycles per second; measure of frequency

Question 15

lens

Answer 15

curved, transparent structure that provides additional focus for light entering the eye

Question 16

iris

Answer 16

colored portion of the eye, contains muscle used to expand or contract pupil

Question 17

optic chiasm

Answer 17

X-shaped structure that sits just below the brain’s ventral surface; represents the merging of the optic nerves from the two eyes and the separation of information from the two sides of the visual field to the opposite side of the brain

Question 18

optic nerve

Answer 18

carries visual information from the retina to the brain

Question 19

photoreceptor

Answer 19

light-detecting cell

Question 20

pupil

Answer 20

small opening in the eye through which light passes

Question 21

retina

Answer 21

light-sensitive lining of the eye

Question 22

rod

Answer 22

specialized photoreceptor that works well in low light conditions

Question 23

binocular cue

Answer 23

cue that relies on the use of both eyes

Question 24

opponent-process theory of color perception

Answer 24

color is coded in opponent pairs: black-white, yellow-blue, and red-green

Question 25

trichromatic theory of color perception

Answer 25

color vision is mediated by the activity across the three groups of cones

Question 26

vestibulo-ocular reflex

Answer 26

coordination of motion information with visual information that allows you to maintain your gaze on an object while you move.