psych of perception chapter 1

Question 1

the perceptual process

Answer 1

stimulus in the environment
light is reflected and focused
receptor processes
neural processing
perception
recognition
action

Question 2

distal stimulus

Answer 2

away from the observer
(becomes proximal stimulus if observer chooses to attend attention)

Question 3

proximal stimulus

Answer 3

near by observer

Question 4

primary receiving area

Answer 4

occipital lobe (vision), temporal lobe (hearing), pariental lobe (skin senses)

Question 5

bottom-up processing

Answer 5

data-based processing
processing based on incoming stimuli from the environment

Question 6

top-down processing

Answer 6

knowledge-based processing
processing based on the perceiver’s previou knowledge

Question 7

absolute threshold

Answer 7

the smallest amount of energy needed to detect a stimulus

Question 8

Weber’s law

Answer 8

law states that the difference between two stimuli needed for a person to perceive a change in intensity is a constant fraction of the original stimulus
DL / S = K
difference threshold / stimulus = Weber fraction constant

Question 9

difference threshold

Answer 9

difference limen, DL
smallest difference between two stimuli a person can detect

Question 10

weber fraction (K) =

Answer 10

JND / S
just noticeable difference / stimulus intensity

Question 11

Steven’s power lab

Answer 11

relationship between intensity and perceived magnitude is a power function
P = K xS^n
perceived magnitude (P) equals a constant (K), times the stimulus intensity (S) raised to a power (n)