Ch. 5 Part 1

Question 1

The process of organizing and interpreting sensory information, enabling us to recognize meaningful objects and events

Answer 1

Perception

Question 2

Analysis that begins with the sensory receptors and works up to the brain’s integration of sensory information

Answer 2

Bottom up processing

Question 3

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

Answer 3

Top down processing

Question 4

Complete sensation, but incomplete perception
Can remember faces but not recognize them
Inability to top down process

Answer 4

Prosopagnosia

Question 5

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

Answer 5

Psychophysics

Question 6

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

Answer 6

Absolute threshold

Question 7

A theory predicting how and when we detect the presence of a faint stimulus amid background stimulation. Assumes there is no single absolute threshold and that detection depends a partly on a person’s experience, expectations, motivation, and level of fatigue

Answer 7

Signal detection theory

Question 8

Below one’s absolute threshold for conscious awareness

Answer 8

Subliminal

Question 9

The activation, often unconsciously of certain associations, thus predisposing one’s perception, memory or response

Answer 9

Priming

Question 10

The minimum difference between two stimuli required for detection 50% of the time.

Answer 10

Difference threshold

Question 11

The principle that to be perceived as different, to stimulus must differ by a constant minimum percentage

Answer 11

Webbers law

Question 12

Diminished sensitivity as a consequence if constant stimulation

Answer 12

Sensory adaptation

Question 13

Conversion of one form of energy into another

Answer 13

Transduction

Question 14

The distance from the peak of one light soundwave to the peak of the next

Answer 14

Wavelength

Question 15

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

Answer 15

Hue

Question 16

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

Answer 16

Intensity

Question 17

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

Answer 17

Sensation

Question 18

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

Answer 18

Pupil

Question 19

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

Answer 19

Iris

Question 20

The transparent structure behind the pupil that changes shape to focus images on the retina

Answer 20

Lens

Question 21

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

Answer 21

Accommodation

Question 22

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

Answer 22

Retina

Question 23

The sharpness of vision

Answer 23

Acuity

Question 24

A condition in which nearby objects are seen more clearly than distant objects

Answer 24

Nearsightedness

Question 25

A condition in which faraway objects are seen more clearly than near objects

Answer 25

Farsightedness

Question 26

Retinal receptors that detect black white and gray

Answer 26

Rods

Question 27

Retinal receptor cells that are concentrated near the center of the retina and that function in daylight and in well lit conditions. Detects fine detail and gives rise to color sensations

Answer 27

Cones