Chapter 2 Flashcards
Sensation
aligns w/ transduction–> conversion of physical, electromagnetic, & other information from internal & external envts. to electrical signals in the nervous system
Perception
processing of info to make sense of its significance
Sensory receptors
sensory nerves that respond to stimuli
Distal stimuli
in the distance. ex: campfire
Proximal stimuli
in close proximity
Psychophysics
relationship between physical nature of stimuli & sensational/perception they evoke
Sensory ganglia
collection of cell bodies outside the CNS
Projection Areas
areas in the brain that analyze sensory input
Photoreceptors
respond to electromagnetic waves in the visible spectrum (sight)
Hair cells
respond to movement of fluid in the inner ear structures (hearing, rotational, & linear acceleration)
Nociceptors
respond to painful or noxious stimuli (somatosensation)
Thermoreceptors
respond to changes in temperature (thermosensation)
Osmoreceptors
respond to the osmolarity of the blood (water homeostasis)
Olfactory receptors
respond to volatile compounds (smell)
Taste receptors
respond to dissolved compounds (taste)
Absolute threshold
the minimum of stimulus energy that will activate a sensory system
Subliminal perception
refers to the perception of a stimulus below a given stimulus
Threshold of conscious perception
the minimum stimulus energy that will create a signal large enough in size & long enough in duration to be brought into awareness
Difference Threshold
the minimum difference in magnitude between 2 stimuli before one can perceive this difference
-440 Hz vs 441 Hz
Weber’s Law
Just Noticeable Difference (JND) for a stimulus is proportional to the magnitude of the stimulus
Signal Detection Theory
refers to the effects of nonsensory factors, such as experiences, motives, and expectations on perception of stimuli. Accounts for response bias