Chapter 4: Sensation and Perception

Question 1

_____ is the process of receiving stimulus energies from the external environment and transforming those energies into neural energy.

Answer 1

Sensation

Question 2

The process of sensation: Specialized _____ cells in the sense organs detect physical energy such as light, sound, and heat. When the receptor cells register a _____, the energy is converted into an electrochemical _____ or action that relays information through the nervous system to the brain. When it reaches the brain, it is routed to the appropriate area of the _____.

Answer 2

receptor, stimulus, impulse, cerebral cortex

Question 3

Transformation or conversion of physical signals from the environment to electrical (neural) stimuli and sending them to the CNS by means or electrical impulse is referred to as _____.

Answer 3

transduction

Question 4

_____ is the process of organizing and interpreting sensory information so that it makes sense. This process is compared to “what the brain does with raw ingredients.”

Answer 4

Perception

Question 5

In this type of processing, sensory receptors register information about the external environment (outside world) and send it up to the brain for processing. Also known as sensation to perception processing. Example-taking in sounds that the brain interprets as music…this allows the brain to get a feel for the tune.

Answer 5

Bottom-up processing

Question 6

In this type of processing, the cognitive levels of the brain function at higher levels, which allows an organism to sense what is happening and apply that framework to information from the world. Also known as perception to sensation processing. Example-thinking about the music…this creates a perceptual experience in the mind’s ear-meaning, you are playing the music in your head with the absence of hearing the song.

Answer 6

Top-down processing

Question 7

This system of processing involves bot bottom-up processing and top-down processing.

Answer 7

Unified Information Processing System

Question 8

From an evolutionary perspective, the purpose of perception is to _____ in order to survive.

Answer 8

adapt to stimuli

Question 9

Specialized cells that detect stimulus information and transmit it to sensory (afferent) nerves and the brain.

Answer 9

sensory receptors

Question 10

Nearly all sensory signals go through the _____, which is the brain’s relay station.

Answer 10

thalamus

Question 11

The area of the cerebral cortex responsible for handling the sense of vision are the _____ lobes.

Answer 11

occipital

Question 12

The area of the cerebral cortex responsible for handling the sense of hearing are the _____ lobes.

Answer 12

temporal

Question 13

The area of the cerebral cortex responsible for handling the sense of pain, touch, and temperature are the _____ lobes.

Answer 13

parietal

Question 14

The type of energy reception that detects light, which is perceived as sight is referred to as _____ (eyes).

Answer 14

photoreception

Question 15

The type of energy reception that detects vibration, which is perceived as hearing is referred to as _____ (ears).

Answer 15

mechanoreception

Question 16

The type of energy that detects pressure, which is perceived as touch is referred to as _____ (skin).

Answer 16

mechanoreception

Question 17

The type of energy reception that detects chemical stimuli, which is perceived as smell is referred to as _____ (nose, olfaction).

Answer 17

chemoreception