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behavioral science > ch2: sensation and perception > Flashcards

ch2: sensation and perception Flashcards

1
Q

sensation

A

transduction: conversion of physical, electromagnetic, auditory, and other info from our in and external envir. to electrical signals in the nervous system

performed by receptors in PNS, stimuli sent to CNS in the form of action potentials and neurotransmitter.

RAW SIGNAL

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2
Q

perception

A

processing of sensation info to make sense of the sig

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3
Q

sensory receptors

A

neurons that respond to stimuli and tigger electrical signals.

stimuli could be distal (outside, indirect) or proximal (directly interact and affect sensory receptors)

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4
Q

psychophysics

A

study of the physical nature of the stimuli and the sensations and perceptions that evoke

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5
Q

ganglia

A

collections of neuron cell bodies found outside the central nervous system

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6
Q

photoreceptors

A

respond to electromagnetic waves in the visible spectrum (sight)

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7
Q

hair cells

A

respond to movement of fluid in the inner ear structures

hearing, rotational and linear acceleration

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8
Q

nociceptors

A

respond to painful or noxious stimuli

somatosensation

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9
Q

thermoreceptors

A

respond to chgs in temp

thermosensation

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10
Q

osmoreceptors

A

respond to the osmolarity of the blood

water homeostasis

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11
Q

olfactory receptors

A

respond to volatile compounds

smell

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12
Q

taste receptors

A

respond to dissolved compounds

taste

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13
Q

absolute threshold/limina

A

minimum of stimulus energy that is needed to activate ta sensory system

threshold in SENSATION NOT PERCEPTION

a stimulus below the absolute threshold will not be transducer and thus never reaches CNS

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14
Q

Subliminal Perception

A

perception of a stimulus below a given threshold

the threshold of conscious perception.

a stimulus below the threshold of conscious perception arrives at the CNS, but doesn’t reach the higher order brain regions that control attention and consciousness

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15
Q

discrimination testing=psychophysical discrimination testing

A

participant is presented with a stimulus this is varied slightly, and asked to identify difference.

until a change is noticed, the chg btw the two is increased

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16
Q

difference threshold=just-noticeable difference (jnd)

A

minimum difference in magnitude between 2 stimuli before one can perceive difference

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17
Q

webers law

A

constant ration between chgs in stimulus magnitude needed to produce a jnd and the magnitude of the original stimulus.

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18
Q

signal detection theory

A

perception of stimuli is affected by non sensory factors, experiences (memory), motives, and expectations.

focuses on the chgs in out perception of the same stimuli depending on in and external context

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19
Q

response bias

A

tendency of subjects to systematically respond to a stimulus in a particular way due to non sensory factors

catch trials- signal present
noise trails- signal not present

subject could respond in such a way, creating 4 diff situas

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20
Q

adaptation

A

signal detection of stimulus can change over time thru adaptation

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21
Q

what entire lobe of the brain is devoted to vision?

A

occipital lobe (out of Fpot)

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22
Q

eye

A

specialized organ used to detect light in the form of photons

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23
Q

sclera

A

white of the eye

most of the exposed potion the eye is covered by this thick structural layer

provides structural support

does not cover the front most part for he eye, the cornea

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24
Q

choroidal vessels

A

a complex intermingling of blood vessels between the sclera and retina

one of two blood vessels that supplies the nutrients to the eye

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25
Q

retinal vessels

A

one of two blood vessels that supplies the nutrients to the eye

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26
Q

retina

A

innermost layer of the eye

detects images

contains the actual photoreceptors that transducer light into electrical information the brain can process

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27
Q

cornea

A

clear, domelike window in the front of the eye

light first passes through this

gathers and focuses the incoming light

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28
Q

anterior chamber

A

lies in front of the iris, allows passage of light

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29
Q

posterior chamber

A

lies between the iris and the lens, allows passage of light

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30
Q

dilator pupillae

A

muscle that is part of the iris that opens pupil under sympathetic stimulation

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31
Q

constrictor pupillae

A

muscle that is part of the iris that constrict pupil under para sympathetic stimulation

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32
Q

choroid

A

continuous with the iris

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33
Q

ciliary body

A

produces aqueous humor that bathes the front part of the eye before draining into the canal of schlemm

accommodation of the lens

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34
Q

ciliary muscle

A

component of the ciliary body

contracts under parasympathetic control
-as it contracts, it pulls on the suspensory ligaments and changes the shape of the lens (this=accommodation)

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35
Q

vitreous

A

transparent gel that supports the retina

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36
Q

retina

A

back fo the eye

is like a screen consisting of neural elements and blood vessels

funct: convert incoming photons fo light to electrical signals, detects images

part of the CNS, developed as outgrown of brain tissue

made up of 6 mil cones and 120 mil rods

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37
Q

duslexity = duplicity theory of vision

A

retina contains 2 kinds of photoreceptors

  • specialized for light and dark detection
  • specialized for color detection
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38
Q

cones

A

used for color vision and to sense fine details

most effective in bright light

come in short=S=best absorb blue,
medium=M=green,
long=H=red

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39
Q

rods

A

more effective in low light

only allow sensation of light and dark because they contain a single pigment=rhodopsin

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40
Q

macula

A

central section of the retina

has a high concentration of cones

centermost point: fovea: contains ONLY cones

  • as you move away from fovea, [rod]^ while [cone]v
  • so visual activity is best at fovea, most sensitive to normal daylight vision (more cones->better w light)
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41
Q

bipolar cells

A

highlight gradients between adjacent rods or cones

synapse with ganglion cells

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42
Q

ganglion cells

A

group together to form the optic nerve

synapse with bipolar cells

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43
Q

amacrine and horizontal cells

A

receive input form multiple retinal cells in the same area before the info is passed on to ganglion cells

can accentuate slight difference between the visual info in each bipolar cells

important for edge detection

increase our perception of contrasts

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44
Q

visual pathways

A

physical anatomical connections between the eyes and the brain and the flow of visual information along these connections

45
Q

optic chiasm

A

first sig event that occurs after a final travels thru the optic nerves toward the brain

the fibers form the nasal half of each retina cross paths and carry the temporal visual field from each eye

the temporal fibers (from nasal) don’t cross, so all fivers corresponding to the left visual field from both eyes project into the right side of the brain and all the fibers corresponding to the right visual field from both eyes project into the left side of the brain
- these pathways= OPTIC TRACTS

46
Q

lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) of the thalamus

A

from the optic chasm, the info can go to here of several, thru radiation in the temporal and parietal lobes to the visual cortes in the occipital lobe

47
Q

superior colliculus

A

controls some responses to visual stimuli and reflexive eye movements

48
Q

parallel processing

A

ability to simultaneously analyze and combine info regarding color, shape, and motion, integrate this info to creat a cohesive image of the world

calls on memory sys to compare a visual stimulus to past experiences to help determine the objects identity

also correlates in neuroscience called feature detection

49
Q

parvocellular cells

A

detects shape by having high color spatial resolution (permit us to see very fine detail when thoroughly examining an object)

can only work in slow moving objects because they have very low temporal resolution.

50
Q

magnocellular cells

A

detects motion by having high temporal resolution, but have low spatial resolution, so much of the rich detail of an object can no longer be seen once it is motion

provide, blurry, but moving image of an object

51
Q

lens

A

refracts the incoming light to focus it on the retina

52
Q

structure of visual pathway, form where light enters the cornea to the visual projection areas in the brain

A

cornea–> pupil–> lens–> vitreous–> retina (rods and cons–>bipolar cells–> ganglion cells)–> optic nerve–> optic chasm–> optic tract–> lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) of thalamus–> radiations thru the parietal and temporal lobes–> visual cortex (occipital lobe)

53
Q

pinna=auricle

A

cartilaginous outside part of the ear

main func: channel sound waves into external auditory canal

54
Q

external auditory canal

A

directs sound waves tot the tympanic membrane (eardrum)

55
Q

tympanic membrane (eardrum)

A

vibrates in phase with the incoming sound waves

the frequency of the sound wave determines the rate at which the eardrum vibrates, lower sounds have greater intensity

divides outer ear from middle ear

56
Q

intensity

A

corresponds to an increased amplitude of this vibration

57
Q

ossicles

A

smaller bonds in the body, in the middle ear

help transmit and amplify the vibrations from the tympanic membrane to the inner ear

58
Q

malleus (hammer)

A

affixed to the tympanic memebrane

acts on the incus (anvil) which acts on the stapes (stirrup)

59
Q

eusatian tube

A

helps equalize pressure between the middle ear and the environment

middle ear is connected to the nasal cavity via this

60
Q

bony labyrinth

A

contains the cochlea, vestibule, and semicircular canals
-these structures are continuous with e/o and are mostly filled by the membranous labyrinth, which is bathed by a potassium rich fluid called endolymph
inner ear sits within this

61
Q

membranous labyrinth

A

bathed by a potassium rich fluid called endolymph

suspended within the bony labyrinth by a thin layer of another fluid called perilymph (simultaneously transmits vibrations from the outside world and cushions the inner ear structures)

62
Q

cochlea

A

spiral shaped organ divided into three parts called scalae

63
Q

scalae

A

all threee run the entire length of the cochlea

the middle houses the actual hearing apparatus= organ of corti (rests on a thin flexible membrane=basilar membrane)

the other two: filled with perilymph, surround the hearing apparatus and are continuous with the oval and round windows of the cochlea

64
Q

organ of corti

A

rests on a thin flexible membrane=basilar membrane

composed of thousands of hair cells with are bathed in endolymph

on top of it, is a relatively immobile membrane= tectorial membrane

65
Q

round window

A

a membrane-covered hole in the cochlea

permits the perilymph to actually move within the cochlea

66
Q

auditory (vestibulocochlear) nerve

A

hair cells in the organ of court convert the physical stimulus into an electrical signal, which is carried by this

67
Q

vestibule

A

portion of the bony labyrinth that contains the utricle and saccule, which are sensitive to LINEAR acceleration, so are used as a part of the balancing apparatus

contain modified. hair cells covered with otoliths, which rests that motion as the body accelerates, which would ben and stimulate the underlying hair cells which send a signal to the brain

68
Q

semicircular canals

A

three are sensitive to rotational acceleration.

arranged perpendicularly to e/o and each ends in a swelling called an ampulla, where hair cells are located.

when head rotates, endolymph in the semicircular canal resists, bending underlying hair cells, send signal to brain

69
Q

auditory pathways

A

most sound info passes thru the vestibulocochlear nerve to brainstem–> medial geniculate nucleus (MGN) of the thalamus–> auditory cortex in temporal lobe for sound processing

some info is also sent to the superior olive, which localizes the sound and the inferior colliculus, which is involved int eh startle reflex, and helps keep the eyes fixed on a point when the head is turned (vestibule-ocular reflex)

70
Q

stereocilia

A

long tufts on the top surface of hair cells

help open the ion channels as the swap back and forth, causing receptor potential

71
Q

place theory

A

states the at the location of a hair cell on the basilar membrane determines the perception of the pitch when that hair cell is vibrated

72
Q

linear acceleration

A

detected by the utricle and saccule

73
Q

rotational acceleration

A

detected by the semicircular canals

74
Q

list the structures of the auditory pathway, from where sound enters the pinna to the auditory projection areas in the brain

A

pinna –> esternal auditory canal –>tympanic membrane –> malleus –>incus –> stapes –>oval window –>perilymph in cochlea –>basilar membrane –>hair cells –> vestibulocochlear nerve –>brainstem –>medial geniculate nucleus (MGN) of thalamus –>auditory cortex (temporal lobe)

75
Q

how does the organization of the cochlea indicate the pitch of an incoming sound

A

the basilar membrane is tonotopically organized: high-pitched sounds cause vibrations at the base of the cochlea, whereas low pitch sounds cause vibrations at the apex of the cochlea

76
Q

olfactory chemoreceptors (olfactory nerves)

A

localized in epithelium in the upper part of the nasal cavity chemical stimuli must bind to their respective chemoreceptors to cause a signal

SENSITIVE TO VOLATILE OR AEROSOLIZED COMPOUNDS

77
Q

pheromones

A

affect animals social foreign and sexual behavior

secreted by one person or animal, and once bonded with chemoreceptors, compel or urge another to behave a specific way

78
Q

olfactory pathway to the brain

A

inhaled thru nasal passages –> contact the olfactory nerves/chemoreceptors in olfactory epithelium–> send signals to olfactory bulb–> olfactory tract –> higher regions of the brain, including the limbic system

79
Q

five basic tastes

A

sweet, sour, salty, umami (savory), bitter

80
Q

taste chemoreceptors

A

SENSITIVE TO DISSOLVED COMPOUNDS

the receptor for tase are groups of cells called taste buds, found on bumps on tongue called papillae

81
Q

last information traveling pathway

A

tastebuds to brainstem, to taste center in thalamus before traveling to higher order brain regions

82
Q

somatosensation

A

“touch” but is actually more complex: PRESSURE, VIBRATION, TEMPERATURE, AND PAIN

five different receptors that receive tactile info

  • pacinian corpuscles
  • meissner corpuscles
  • merkle cells (discs)
  • ruffini endings
  • free nerve endings
83
Q

pacinian corpuscles

A

respond to deep pressure an dvibration

84
Q

meissner corpuscles

A

respond to light touch

85
Q

merkle cells (discs)

A

respond to deep pressure and texture

86
Q

ruffini endings

A

respond to stretch

87
Q

free nerve endings

A

respond to pain and temperature

88
Q

somatosensation transaction

A

receptors–>send signal to CNS–> somatosensory cortex in parietal lob

89
Q

two point threshold

A

min distance necessary between two points of stimulation on the skin such that the point swill be felt as two distinct stimuli

90
Q

physiological zero

A

normal temperature of skill (86- 97)

91
Q

nociceptors

A

sensory receptors that send signals that may lead to pain perception, which is a part of the somatosensory system

92
Q

gate theory of pain

A

proposes that there is a special “eating” mech that can turn pain signals on or off, affecting whether or not we perceive pain

93
Q

kinesthetic sense=proprioception

A

ability to tell where ones body is in space

94
Q

bottom-up (data-driven) processing

A

object recognition by parallel processing and feature detection

brain takes the individual sensory stimuli and combines them together to create a cohesive images before determining wha the object is

helps discriminate slight differences between similar objects

95
Q

top-down (conceptually driven) processing

A

driven by memories and expectations that allow the brain to recognize the whole object and then recognize the components based on these expectations

allows us to quickly recognize objects without needing to analyzed their specific parts

helps in recognizing objects form past

96
Q

perceptual organization

A

ability to use top down and bottom up in tandem with all fo the other sensory clues about an object to creat a complete idea/pic

97
Q

depth perception

A

rely on both monocular and binocular cues (one or both eyes)

monocular: relative size, convergence of parallel lines at a distance, position in visual field, lighting and shading
binocular: slight diff in images projected on the two rentals and tangle required btwn the two eyes to bring object in focus

98
Q

form

A

usually determined thru parallel processing and feature detection, and the motion o fan object is perceived thru magnocellular cells

99
Q

constancy

A

refers to the idea that we perceive certain characteristics of objects to remain the same, despite differences in the environment

100
Q

gestalt principles

A

ways for the brain to infer missing parts of a picture when a picture is incomplete

governed by law of prägnanz

there are 5
proximity
similarity
good continuation
subjective contours
closure
101
Q

law of proximity

A

elements close to one another tend to be perceived as a unit

102
Q

law of similarity

A

similar objects tend to be grouped together

103
Q

law of good continuation

A

elements that appear to follow in the same pathway tend to be group together

104
Q

subjective contours

A

perceiving contours and therefore, shapes that are not actually present in the stimulus

105
Q

law of closure

A

when a space is enclosed by a couture, it tends to be perceived a a complete figure

106
Q

law of prägnanz

A

perceptual organization will be as regular, simple, and symmetric as possible

107
Q

endolymph is found in the …

A

membranous labyrinth

mnemonic: membrane: endocytosis idk?

108
Q

perilymph is found in the …

A

bony labyrinth.

mnemonic: Per… bo…

behavioral science (3 decks)

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