Ch. 5

Question 0

Perception

Answer 0

The process of organizing and intepreting

sensory information, enabling us to recognize meaningful objects and events.

Question 1

Sensation

Answer 1

The process by which our sensory receptors and nervous system receive and represent stimulus energies from our environment.

Question 2

Bottom up processing

Answer 2

Analysis that begins with the sensory receptors and works up to the brains integration of sensory info.

Question 3

Top down processing

Answer 3

Information processing guided by higher level mental processes, as when we construct perceptions drawing on our experiences and expectations.

Question 4

Prosopagnosia

Answer 4

Complete sensation but incomplete perception.

Question 5

Psychophysics

Answer 5

The study of relationships between the physical characteristics of stimuli, such as their intensity, and our psychological experience of them.

Question 6

Absolute threshold

Answer 6

The minimum amount of stimulation needed to detect a particular stimulus 50% of the time.

Question 7

Signal detection theory

Answer 7

A theory predicting how and when we detect the presence of a faint stimulus (signal) amid background stimulation (noise)

Question 8

Subliminal

Answer 8

Below ones absolute threshold for conscious awareness.

Question 9

Priming

Answer 9

The activation, often unconsciously, of certain associations, thus predisposing ones perception, memory, or response.

Question 10

Difference threshold

Answer 10

The minimum difference between two stimuli required for detection 50% of the time. We experience difference threshold as a just noticeable difference.

Question 11

Webers law

Answer 11

The principle that, to be perceived as different, two stimuli must differ by a constant minimum percentage (rather than a constant amount).

Question 12

Sensory adaptation

Answer 12

Diminished sensitivity as a consequence of constant stimulation.

Question 13

Transduction

Answer 13

Conversion of one form of energy into another. In sensation, the transforming of stimulus energies, such as sights, sounds, and smells into neural impulses our brains can interpret.

Question 14

Wavelength

Answer 14

The distance from the peak of one light or sound wave to the peak of the next. Electromagnetic wavelengths vary from the short blips of cosmic days to the long pulses of radio transmission.

Question 15

Hue

Answer 15

The dimension of color that is determined by the wavelength of light; what we know as the color names, blue, green, etc.

Question 16

Intensity

Answer 16

The amount of energy in a light or sound wave, which we perceive as brightness or loudness, as determined by the waves amplitude.

Question 17

Pupil

Answer 17

The adjustable opening in the center of the eye through which light enters.

Question 18

Iris

Answer 18

A ring of muscle tissue that or a the colored portion of the eye around the pupil and controls the size of the pupil opening.

Question 19

Lens

Answer 19

The transparent structure behind the pupil that changes shape to help focus images in the retina.

Question 20

Accommodation

Answer 20

The process by which the eyes lens changes share to focus near or far objects on the retina.

Question 21

Retina

Answer 21

The light-sensitive inner surface of the eye, containing the receptor rods and cones, plus layers of neurons that begin the processing of visual info.

Question 22

Acuity

Answer 22

The sharpness of vision

Question 23

Nearsightedness

Answer 23

A condition in which nearby objects are seen more clearly than distant objects be aide distant objects focus in the front of the retina.

Question 24

Farsightedness

Answer 24

A condition in which far away objects are seen more clearly than near objects because the image of near objects is focused behind the retina.

Question 25

Rods

Answer 25

Retinal receptors that detect black, white, and gray; necessary for peripheral and twilight vision; when cones don’t respond.

Question 26

Cones

Answer 26

Retinal receptors that are concentrated near the center of retina, function in daylight or in well lot conditions. The cones detect fine detail and give rise to color sensation.

Question 27

Optic nerve

Answer 27

The nerve that carries neural impulses from the eye to the brain.

Question 28

Blind spot

Answer 28

The point at which the optic nerve leaves the eye, creating a “blind” spot because no receptor cells are located there.

Question 29

Fovea

Answer 29

The central focal point in the retina, around which the eyes cones cluster.

Question 30

Feature detectors

Answer 30

Nerve cells in the brain that respond to specific features of the stimulus, such as shapes angle, or movement.

Question 31

Parallel processing

Answer 31

Processing of several aspects of a problem simultaneously; the brains natural mode of info processing for many functions, including visions. Contrasts with step by step processing of most computers and if conscious problem solving.

Question 32

Young-helmholtz trichromatic theory (three color)

Answer 32

Theory that the retina contains 3 different color receptors – one most sensitive to red, one to green, and one to blue. – which when stimulated in combination can produce the perception of any color.

Question 33

Opponent-process theory

Answer 33

The theory that the opposing retinal processes (red-green, yellow-blue, and white- black) enable color vision.
Ex. Some cells are stimulated by green and inhibited by red; others are stimulated by red and inhibited by green.

Question 34

Color constancy

Answer 34

Perceiving familiar objects as having consistent color, even if changing illumination alters the wavelengths reflected by the object.

Question 35

Blindsight

Answer 35

Blindness in part of the field of vision due to destruction in the visual cortex from stroke or surgery.

Question 36

Audition

Answer 36

The sense or act of hearing

Question 37

Frequency

Answer 37

The number of complete wavelengths that pass a point in a given time (for example, per second)

Question 38

Pitch

Answer 38

A tones experienced highness or lowness; depends on frequency.

Question 39

Middle ear

Answer 39

The chamber between the ear drum and cochlea containing three tiny bones (hammer, anvil, stirrup) that concentrate the vibrations of the eardrum on the cochleas oval window.

Question 40

Cochlea

Answer 40

Coiled, boney, fluid filled tube in the inner ear through which sound waves trigger nerve impulses.

Question 41

Inner ear

Answer 41

The innermost part of the ear, containing the cochlea, semicircular canals, and vestibular sacs.

Question 42

Semicircular canals

Answer 42

It’s what makes you feel dizzy when you get off an amusement park ride.

Question 43

Place theory

Answer 43

In hearing, the theory that links the pitch we hear with the place where the cochleas membrane is stimulated.

Question 44

Frequency theory

Answer 44

In hearing, the theory that the rate of nerve impulses, traveling up the auditory nerve matches the frequency of a tone, this enabling us to sense it’s pitch.

Question 45

Conduction hearing loss

Answer 45

Hearing loss caused by damage to the mechanical system that conducts sound waves to the cochlea.

Question 46

Sensorineural hearing loss

Answer 46

Hearing loss caused by damage to the cochleas receptor cells or to the auditory nerves; also called nerve deafness.

Question 47

Cochlear implant

Answer 47

A device for converting sounds into electrical signals and stimulating the auditory nerve through electrodes threaded into the cochlea.

Question 48

Gate-control theory

Answer 48

The theory that the spinal cord contains a neurological “gate” that blocks pain signals or allows them to pass to the brain. The “gate” is opened by the activity of pain signals traveling up in larger fibers or by info coming from the brain.

Question 49

Sensory interaction

Answer 49

The principle that one sense may influence another, as when the smell of food influences it’s taste.

Question 50

Kinesthesis

Answer 50

The system for sensing the position and movement of individual body parts.