Ch. 4 Flashcards
Learn about sensation and perception
absolute threshold
minimum amount of stimulus energy that must be present for the stimulus to be detected 50% of the time
just noticeable difference
difference in stimuli required to detect a difference between the stimuli
mere-exposure effects
the result of developing a more positive attitude towards a stimulus after repeated instances of mere exposure to it.
sensation
what happens when sensory information is detected by a sensory receptor
signal detection theory
change in stimulus detection as a function of current mental state
transduction
conversion from sensory stimulus energy to action potential
bottom-up processing
system in which perceptions are built from sensory input
inattentional blindness
failure to notice something that is completely visible because of a lack of attention
perception
way that sensory information is interpreted and consciously experienced
top-down processing
interpretation of sensations is influenced by available knowledge, experiences, and thoughts
cone
specialized photoreceptor that works best in bright light conditions and detects color
cornea
transparent covering over the eye
fovea
small indentation in the retina that contains cones
hertz (Hz)
cycles per second; measure of frequency
lens
curved, transparent structure that provides additional focus for light entering the eye
iris
colored portion of the eye, contains muscle used to expand or contract pupil
optic chiasm
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
optic nerve
carries visual information from the retina to the brain
photoreceptor
light-detecting cell
pupil
small opening in the eye through which light passes
retina
light-sensitive lining of the eye
rod
specialized photoreceptor that works well in low light conditions
binocular cue
cue that relies on the use of both eyes
opponent-process theory of color perception
color is coded in opponent pairs: black-white, yellow-blue, and red-green
trichromatic theory of color perception
color vision is mediated by the activity across the three groups of cones
vestibulo-ocular reflex
coordination of motion information with visual information that allows you to maintain your gaze on an object while you move.
