Ch. 6 sensation and perception

Question 1

Sensation

Answer 1

conversion of physical energy from environment to neural impulses
Sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell, and kinesthetic
How do we take in info about the world?

Question 2

Perception

Answer 2

the organization and interpretation of stimuli (enabling us to recognize meaningful objects and events)

Question 3

3 Stages of Experiencing a Stimulus

Answer 3

1. receive sensory info
2. transform stimulation into neural impulses
3. deliver neural info to brain

Question 4

Absolute Threshold

Answer 4

minimum amount of energy that can be detected as a stimulation 50% of the time

• There are limits to human perception
• Detection varies according to personal experience, expectations, motivation, fatigue (person’s reactions to same stimuli vary)

Question 5

Subliminal Stimulation

Answer 5

(unconscious) stimuli below absolute threshold for conscious awareness
But, people do NOT automatically or mindlessly obey subliminal messages in advertisements, rock music, tapes, etc.)

Question 6

Difference Threshold

Answer 6

(just noticeable difference) is the minimum difference detected between two stimuli 50% of the time
Detecting small differences among stimuli (ex: artists notice small difference in colors)

Question 7

Kinesthetic Sense

Answer 7

Kinesthetic Sense (bodily movement, sensation in space)

• Provides info about the position, speed, direction of our movements
• Muscle movement, changes in posture, and strain on muscles and joints
• Sensors in the muscles, tendons, joints

Question 8

Vestibular sense

Answer 8

head’s position and movement
Originates in inner ear (fluid)
Nerve impulses travel to cerebellum

Question 9

Rods

Answer 9

retinal receptors that detect black, white and gray, and are sensitive to movement; necessary for peripheral and twilight vision, when cones don’t respond

Located near center of retina, back of eye

Question 10

Cones

Answer 10

retinal receptors that are concentrated near the center of the retina and that function in daylight or in well-light conditions; detect fine detail and give rise to color sensations

Question 11

Blind spot

Answer 11

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

Question 12

What are the 4 types of touch receptors?

Answer 12

Pressure
Warmth
Cold
Pain

Question 13

What are the 5 types of taste receptors?

Answer 13

Sweet
Salty
Sour
Bitter
Umami

Question 14

Perceptual constancy

Answer 14

allows us to have stable perceptions amid changing stimuli

Even though illumination and retinal image changes, we see it as the same shape, size, light, or color

Question 15

Brightness Constancy

Answer 15

perceive an object as having constant lightness even when illumination varies

Question 16

Color Constancy

Answer 16

perceive an object as a constant color, even when it reflects different wavelengths in different illuminations

Question 17

Shape Constancy

Answer 17

shape appears constant even when retinal image changes

Question 18

Size Constancy

Answer 18

perceive things as having a constant size, even while our distance to them varies

Question 19

Extrasensory Perception (ESP)

Answer 19

perception without sensory input

Telepathy (mind reading)
Clairvoyance (“seeing” hidden or far away objects)
Precognition (predicting the future)