lec 3: sensations and perceptions

Question 1

define perception

Answer 1

process that makes sensory patterns meaningful by drawing memory, motivation, emotion and other psychological processes

Question 2

simple pathway for sensation to become perception

Answer 2

stimulus -> transduction -> sensation -> perception

Question 3

where in the eye does transduction occur?

Answer 3

retina

Question 4

what are rods and cones?

Answer 4

• photoreceptors in retina
• rods - sensitive to dim light
• cones - sensitive to colors

Question 5

what is the bundle of neurons that carries information from retina to brain called?

Answer 5

optic nerve

Question 6

name 3 tiny bones in the middle ear.

Answer 6

1. hammer
2. anvil
3. stirrup

Question 7

where is sound waves tranduced in the ear?

Answer 7

cochlea - a coiled tube in the inner ear, filled with fluid

Question 8

what is the basilar membrane?

Answer 8

a thin strip of tissue sensitive to vibrations from the cochlea. contains haircells connected to neurons.

*when sound wave causes haircells in basilar membrane to vibrate, the connected neurons become excited and transduce the sound waves into nerve activity.

Question 9

what is the gestalt theory

Answer 9

our tendency to fill in gaps in incomplete figures, and see them as complete

Question 10

what law in perception makes proofreading hard to do?

Answer 10

law of pragnanz - simplest organisation requiring least effort will emerge as the figure