Ch. 6 Sensory and Perception Flashcards
sensation
process by which our sensory receptors and nervous system receive and represent stimulus energies from our environment
sensory receptors
sensory nerve endings that respond to stimuli
perception
process by which our brain organized and interprets sensory information enabling us to recognize objects and events meaningful
bottom-up processing
information processing that begins with sensory receptors and works up to the brains integration of sensory information
top-down processing
information processing guided by higher-level mental processes, as when we construct perceptions drawing on our experience and expectations
transduction
conversion of one form of energy into another
psychophysics
study of relationships between physical characteristics of stimuli, such as their intensity
absolute threshold
minimum stimulus energy needed to detect a particular stimulus 50% of the time
signal detection theory
predicting how and when we detect the presence of faint stimulus amid background stimulation
sublimal
below ones absolute threshold for conscious awareness
priming
activation of certain associtation
difference threshold
minimum difference between 2 stimuli required for detection 50% of the time
Webers law
principle that 2 stimuli must differ by a constant minimum percentage
sensory adaptation
diminished sensitivity as a consequence of constant stimulation
perceptual set
mental predisposition to perceive 1 thing and not the other
wavelength
distance from peak of one light or sound wave to the peak of another
hue
dimension of color determined by wavelength of light
intensity
amount of energy in a light wave or sound wave
retina
light sensitive inner surface of the eye, begins processing visual information
accomodation
process by which eye’s lens changes shape to focus near or far objects on the retina
cones
retinal receptors concentrated near center of the retina and function in daylight or in well-lit conditions
optic nerves
carries impulses from eye to brain
blind spot
point which optic nerve leaves the eye