Exam 2 Flashcards
Define perception and sensation
Sensation involves the sensory receptors and nervous system receiving stimuli from the environment, while perception is the interpretation of these sensory inputs by the brain
Identify all the senses (vision, smell, taste, hearing, touch, vestibular
Senses include vision, hearing (audition), smell (olfaction), taste (gustation), touch, and the vestibular sense for balance and spatial orientation
Explain the opponent-process theory of color vision
This theory suggests color vision is enabled by opposing retinal processes (red-green, yellow-blue, white-black), with certain cells stimulated by one color and inhibited by its opponent
Distinguish between the difference threshold and other sensory thresholds
The difference threshold (just noticeable difference) is the smallest detectable difference between two stimuli, whereas absolute threshold is the minimum stimulus needed to detect a stimulus 50% of the time
Analyze the impact of culture on perception
Cultural experiences and context influence perception, as seen in cultural-specific interpretations of visual illusions and differing attention to detail or context in visual tasks
Describe Gestalt principles
Gestalt principles include proximity, similarity, continuity, closure, and figure-ground, emphasizing the brain’s ability to create whole perceptions from incomplete elements
Interpret the Muller-Lyer illusion
This illusion involves two lines of equal length appearing unequal due to arrow-like ends, showcasing perceptual misinterpretation due to visual context
Explain selective attention
Selective attention refers to focusing on specific stimuli while ignoring others, allowing efficient processing but potentially leading to inattentional blindness
Label the main eye structures and describe their roles in vision
Key structures: Cornea (focuses light), Lens (further focuses light), Retina (contains photoreceptors), Fovea (central high-acuity area), Pupil (controls light entry), Iris (controls pupil size
Summarize the trichromatic theory of color vision
This theory posits three types of cones sensitive to red, green, and blue, combining to produce color perception
Describe the gate control theory of pain
Pain signals can be blocked by spinal “gates” influenced by other sensory signals, explaining why pressure or other stimuli can mitigate pain perception
Compare bottom-up processing with top-down processing
Bottom-up processing involves sensory input guiding perception, while top-down processing uses prior knowledge to interpret sensory data
Define hue in the context of vision
Hue is the color perceived from light, determined by its wavelength
Evaluate the research on eyewitness testimony by Elizabeth Loftus.
Loftus found that memory is reconstructive and susceptible to misinformation, suggesting eyewitness accounts can be unreliable
Relate the findings of the visual cliff study to theories of perception.
The study showed infants avoid a perceived drop-off, indicating depth perception develops early and may be partly innate
Define consciousness
Consciousness is the awareness of ourselves and our environment, encompassing thoughts, sensations, and perceptions
Explain biological rhythms
Biological rhythms are regular cycles in bodily functions, such as circadian rhythms (24-hour cycle) and ultradian rhythms (e.g., 90-minute sleep cycles)
Summarize the stages of sleep
Sleep includes stages: NREM-1 (light sleep), NREM-2, NREM-3 (deep sleep), and REM (rapid eye movement, associated with dreaming)
Evaluate the purpose of sleep
Sleep aids in protection, recuperation, memory consolidation, creative problem-solving, and growth
Identify all the sleep disorders discussed (insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, etc.)
Disorders include insomnia (difficulty sleeping), narcolepsy (sudden sleep attacks), sleep apnea (breathing stops), and night terrors
Classify the drugs discussed in class (cocaine, caffeine, marijuana, opioids, hallucinogens, etc.).
Depressants** (alcohol), stimulants (cocaine, nicotine), hallucinogens (LSD, marijuana), opiates (morphine, heroin)
Explain drug interactions and their potential dangers.
Combining depressants (e.g., alcohol with barbiturates) can enhance effects, leading to severe consequences like respiratory failure
Define drug tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal.
Tolerance**: needing more for the same effect; dependence: reliance on a substance; withdrawal: physical/psychological symptoms after stopping
Evaluate the purpose of dreams.
Theories propose dreams process emotions, consolidate memories, stimulate neural pathways, and reflect cognitive development
Analyze why teens might begin using drugs
Reasons include peer pressure, curiosity, stress relief, and rebellion; teens may be influenced by cultural portrayals and social modeling
Define learning
Learning is acquiring new, enduring information or behaviors
Differentiate between classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning theories
Classical conditioning**: linking stimuli (Pavlov); operant conditioning: consequences shape behavior (Skinner); observational learning: learning by watching others (Bandura)