intro to sensation Flashcards
sensation
detecting physical energy (stimulus) from the environment and convert it into neural signals
perception
selecting, organizing, and interpreting our sensations
bottom-up processing
analysis of the stimulus begins with the sense receptors and works up to the level of the brain and mind
top-down processing
information processing guided by high level mental processes as we construct perceptions drawing on our experiences and expectations
absolute threshold
minimum stimulation needed to detect a particular stimulus 50% of the time
difference threshold
minimum difference between two stimuli required for detection 50% of the time (also called just noticeable difference, JND)
webers law
the size of the JND is proportional to the intensity of the stimulus
subliminal threshold
when stimuli are below one’s absolute threshold for conscious awareness (some may notice)
signal detection theory
our thresholds are not absolute, they change
sensory adaptation
diminished sensitivity as a consequence of constant stimulation
gestalt psychology
the whole is different from the sum of its parts
figure-ground
organization of the visual field into objects/figures that stands out from their background
gestalt grouping
having discriminated figure from ground our perception needs to organize figure into meaningful form using grouping rules
depth perception
enables us to judge distances
interposition
objects that block other objects tend to be perceived as closer
