ch 5 sensation and perception

Question 1

signal detection theory

Answer 1

detection of stimuli involves a decision process as well as a sensory process (not just that you sense something or not, but also that you decide to pay attention to it)

Question 2

sensation

Answer 2

stimulation of the sense organs

Question 3

perception

Answer 3

the selection, organization, and interpretation of sensory input

Question 4

stimulus

Answer 4

any detectable input from the environment

Question 5

absolute threshold

Answer 5

for a specific type of sensory input the minimum amount of stimulation that an organism can detect

Question 6

just noticeable difference (jnd)

Answer 6

the smallest difference in the amount of stimulation that a specific that a specific sense can detect

Question 7

weber’s law

Answer 7

the size of a jnd is a constant (weber fraction) that is proportional to the size of the inital stimulus

Question 8

fechner’s law

Answer 8

states that subjective sensation is proportional to the logarithm of the stimulus intensity (with constant increases in stimulus intensity, smaller and smaller increases are percieved in the magnitude of that sensation)

Question 9

subliminal perception

Answer 9

the registration of sensory input without conscious awareness

Question 10

sensory adaptation

Answer 10

a gradual decline in sensitivity due to prolonged stimulation (lets us ignore sensory information not important to survival, but can notice if there is a change immediately)