Chapter 1

Question 1

The initial steps in the perceptual process, whereby physical features of the environment are converted into electrochemical signals that are sent to the brain for processing (physiological)

Answer 1

Sensation

Question 2

Physiological functions for converting particular environmental features into electrochemical signals

Answer 2

Sense

Question 3

The later steps in the perceptual process, whereby the initial sensory signals are used to represent objects and events so they can be identified, stored in memory, and used in thought and action (psychological)

Answer 3

Perception

Question 4

Information in the mind and brain used to identify objects and events, to store them in memory, and to support thought and action

Answer 4

Representations

Question 5

The objects and events that are perceived and the physical phenomena they produce

Answer 5

Stimuli

Question 6

A perceived object or event in the world

Answer 6

Distal Stimulus

Question 7

A physical phenomenon evoked by a distal stimulus that impinges on the specialized cells of a sense

Answer 7

Proximal Stimulus

Question 8

Cells of the nervous system that produce and transmit information-carrying signals

Answer 8

Neurons

Question 9

Information-carrying electrochemical signals produced and transmitted by neurons

Answer 9

Neural Signals

Question 10

Specialized neutrons that convert proximal stimuli into neural signals

Answer 10

Sensory Receptors

Question 11

An observer’s knowledge, expectations, and goals, which can affect perception

Answer 11

Top-Down Information

Question 12

The information contained in neural signals from receptors

Answer 12

Bottom-Up Information

Question 13

The transformation of a physical stimulus into neural signals

Answer 13

Transduction

Question 14

A pattern of neural signals that carries information about a stimulus and can serve as a representation of that stimulus

Answer 14

Neural Code

Question 15

A field of study concerned with relating psychological experience to physical stimuli

Answer 15

Psychophysics

Question 16

The basic mechanism of biological evolution, whereby advantageous traits are more likely to be passed on to offspring through genetic inheritance and to become increasingly prevalent in a population

Answer 16

Natural Selection

Question 17

The minimum intensity of a physical stimulus that can just be detected by an observer

Answer 17

Absolute Threshold

Question 18

A behavioral method used in psychophysical experiments; when used to measure the absolute threshold, the participant observes a stimulus and manipulates a control that directly adjusts the intensity of the stimulus

Answer 18

Method of Adjustment

Question 19

A behavioral method used in psychophysical experiments; when used to measure the absolute threshold, the participant is repeatedly presented with a fixed set of stimuli, in random order, covering a range of intensities, and the participant must indicate whether or not each stimulus was detected

Answer 19

Method of Constant Stimuli