Hnggg Chapter 5 First Half

Question 1

Sensation

Answer 1

Process where our sensory receptors and nervous system receive and represent stimulus energies from environment

Question 2

Perception

Answer 2

Process of organizing and interpreting sensory information, lets us recognize meaningful objects and events

Question 3

Bottom up processing

Answer 3

Analysis that begins with sensory receptors and works up to the brains integration of sensory information

Question 4

Top down processing

Answer 4

Information processing guided by higher level mental processes, when we construct perceptions drawing on our experiences and expectations

Question 5

Prosopagnosia

Answer 5

Temporal lobe damage that allows sensation but not perception

Recognize that it is a face but not who’s face, even own…not top down processing

Question 6

Psychophysics

Answer 6

Study of relationships between the physical characteristics of stimuli, such as their intensity, our psychological experience of them

Question 7

Absolute threshold

Answer 7

The minimum stimulus needed to detect a particular stimulus 50 percent of the time

Question 8

Signal detection theory

Answer 8

A theory predicting how and when we detect the presence of a faint stimulus (signal) amid background stimulation (noise)

Assumes there is no single absolute threshold and that detection depends partly on a persons experiences, expectations, motivation, and level of fatigue

Question 9

Subliminal

Answer 9

Below ones absolute threshold for conscious awareness

Question 10

Priming

Answer 10

The activation, often unconsciously, of certain associations, thus predisposing ones perception, memory or response

Question 11

Difference threshold

Answer 11

The minimum difference between two stimuli required for detection 50 percent of the time

We experience the difference threshold as a just noticeable difference

Question 12

Webers law

Answer 12

The principle that, to be perceived as different, two stimuli must differ by constant minimum percentage rather than a constant amount

Question 13

Sensory adaptation

Answer 13

Diminished sensitivity as a consequence of constant stimulation

Question 14

Transduction

Answer 14

Conversion of one form of energy into another

In sensation, the transforming of stimulus energies, such as sights, sounds, and smells, into neural impulses our brains can interpret

Question 15

Wavelength

Answer 15

The distance from the peak of one light or sound wave to the peak of the next

short causes blue colors and high pitches and long causes red colors and low pitch

Question 16

Hue

Answer 16

The dimension of color that is determined by the wavelength of light (blue, green, and so forth)

Question 17

Intensity

Answer 17

Amount of energy in a light or sound wave, which we perceive as brightness or loudness, determined by waves amplitude

Question 18

Pupil

Answer 18

The adjustable opening in the center of the eye through which light enters

Question 19

Iris

Answer 19

A ring of muscle tissue that forms the colored portion of the eye around the pupil and and controls the size of the pupil opening

Question 20

Lens

Answer 20

The transparent structure of the pupil that changes shape to help focus images on the retina

Question 21

Accommodation

Answer 21

The process by which the eyes lens changes shape to focus near or far objects on the retina

Question 22

Retina

Answer 22

The light sensitive inner surface of the eye, containing the receptor rods and cones plus layers of neurons that begin the processing of visual information

Question 23

Acuity

Answer 23

The sharpness of vision

Question 24

Rods

Answer 24

Retinal receptors that detects black, white, and grey, necessary for peripheral and twilight vision when cones don’t respond

Question 25

Nearsightedness

Answer 25

A condition in which nearby objects are seen more clearly than distant objects because distant objects focus in front of the retina

Question 26

Farsightedness

Answer 26

A condition in which faraway objects are seen more clearly than near objects because the image of near objects is focused behind the retina

Question 27

Cones

Answer 27

Retinal receptor cells that are concentrated near the center of the retina and help us perceive color