Foundations

Question 1

Why are we studying sensation and perception?

Answer 1

Because the sensations and perceptions our body give us the ability to understand the world around us. We also study how our systems have evolved quickly and efficiently.

Question 2

Can you give 3 fields that also implicate the study of sensation and perception?

Answer 2

Physics
Chemistry
Cognitive neuroscience
Neuropsychology and neurology
Computer science and artificial intelligence
Biomedical engineering
Philosophy

Question 3

What is the goal of psychology’s involvement in the study of sensation and perception?

Answer 3

Understand the perceptual experience.

Question 4

Why is this field can be considered psychology?

Answer 4

Even when perceptions are instructed to be objective, perceptions cannot overcome some kinds of biases within the mind as perceptions are constructed from neural activity within the brain and knowledge from the past a.k.a experience.

Question 5

TERMINOLOGY: What is “senses”?

Answer 5

Physiological functions that turns external stimuli (environmental features) into electrochemical signals (juices in the brain).

Question 6

TERMINOLOGY: What is “sensation”?

Answer 6

Sensation involves “elementary” processes that occur right at the beginning of the sensory systems involved in experiencing the environmental stimuli. (Raw data)

Question 7

TERMINOLOGY: What is “perception”?

Answer 7

Perception involves complex processes of a higher cognitive order (top-down) based on experience and interpretation (memory, conscious awareness, cognition) of environmental stimuli.
*I’ll just add expectations also shape perception

Question 8

What is the difference between “senses”, “sensation” and “perception”?

Answer 8

The difference lies in their functions in the process of understanding an environmental stimulus. The “senses” process raw data, i.e., light waves/soundwaves, it translates the raw data into juices/electricity in the brain, “sensation” is the first-step in understanding the stimulus sending the data to appropriate sensory systems (nose, ears, mouth) and, finally, perception gives us the understanding of the environmental stimulus, i.e., naming what it is: object, odour, etc.

Question 9

TERMINOLOGY: What is a “distal” stimulus?

Answer 9

Perceived object or event in the world. I.e., it is the what the fuck

Question 10

TERMINOLOGY: What is a “proximal” stimulus?

Answer 10

Physical phenomenon evoked by the distal stimulus within the environment capted by specialized cells. I.e, it is the “ring-ring” or whatever.