Lecture 1 - Intro to Sensation and Perception

Question 1

What is the purpose of perception?

Answer 1

To inform us about properties of the environment that are important for our survival.

Question 2

What is the process of perception?

Answer 2

Using information from our senses our perceptual system creates a model of the environment in our minds.

Question 3

What is top-down processing?

Answer 3

Perceptual or cognitive processing that is based on prior knowledge or experience

Question 4

What is bottom-up processing?

Answer 4

Perceptual or cognitive processing that is based on information coming directly from a stimulus and activating receptors in the
sensory organ

Question 5

Where does sensation and perception occur?

Answer 5

Our brains
86 billion neurons in human brain.
communicate via electrical signals.
electrical signals are the only “language” the brain understands

Question 6

What is transduction?

Answer 6

Process in which environmental stimuli are converted (or transduced) into neural activity (electrical signals).

Question 7

What is transmission in the perceptual process?

Answer 7

Carries signal from receptors to the brain and
around the brain.

Question 8

What is porocessing?

Answer 8

Occurs during interactions among neurons in the brain

Question 9

How do we study perception?

Answer 9

Observing perceptual processes at different stages in the system:
1. Psychophysical approach (PP) - the stimulus-perception relationship
2. Physiological approach (PH1) - the stimulus-physiology relationship
3. Physiological approach (PH2) - the physiology and perception relationship

Question 10

What is proprioception?

Answer 10

The ability to sense position of the body and limbs in space.