Chapter 5 - Sensation And Perception Flashcards
Sensory receptors
Specialized neuron’s that respond to specific types of stimuli
Sensation
Occurs when sensory receptors detect sensory stimuli
Transduction
Body signals convert physical signals from the environment into neural signals sent to the central nervous system
1. Distal stimuli
2. Proximal stimuli
3. Proximal stimuli converted to neural signals sent to the brain
4. Signal processing in the brain
Psychophysics
Methods that measure the strength of a stimulus and the observers sensitivity to that stimulus
Absolute threshold
Minimal intensity needed to just barely detect a stimulus
Just noticeable difference (JND)
Minimal change in stimulus that can just barely be detected
Perception
Way that sensory information is interpreted, organized and consciously experienced
Top-down perception
More thinking
Previous experiences and expectations are used to recognize stimuli
Bottom-up perception
Quick and easy
Automatic
Sensing
Factors affecting perception
- Sensory adaption
- In attentional blindness
- Motivation
- Beliefs, values, prejudices and expectations
- Life/ cultural experiences
Visual acuity
Ability to see fine details
Visible light
Portion of electromagnetic spectrum seen by humans
Think of the rainbow
Frequency
Number if waves that pass in a given point in a given time period
Longer wavelengths = low frequencies (red)
Shorter wavelengths = high frequencies (blue)
Rods
Black and white
Nighttime vision
Cones
Colour
Daytime vision]
