Psych test 2 (LEC) Flashcards
Psychophysics
- Sensation is the simulation of sense organs
- Perception is the section
- organization and interpretation of sensory input
Threshold
- Sensory receptors
- Auditory receptors
- Sensory systems
Sensory receptors
(Threshold)
tuned to a particular form of energy
Auditory receptors
(Threshold)
in the ear code for sound pressure changes, not for light
Sensory systems
(Threshold)
require a minimum amount of energy for activation (absolute threshold)
Visual System
Eye detects electromagnetic radiation (light)
vision is functional
(visual system)
- Allows for detection of movement (predator-prey)
- Allows for detection of colour (ripe spoiled)
Light detection is useful bc?
(visual system)
- Light travels rapidly (no delay, unlike hearing)
- Light travels in straight like (no distortion)
- Light interacts with surfaces of objects in the environment (is reflected or absorbed)
Transduction of Light
- Light travels through retina to impinge on photoreceptors at the back of the eye
- Light bleaches a pigment contained in the photoreceptor
Bleaching
(transduction of light)
- leads to a graded receptor potential
- eventually produces and action potential in the ganglion cell
Types of Photoreceptors
(transduction of light)
- Cones: found in centre of retina (fovea), are sensitive to fine detail and colour
- Rods: found in periphery of retina, are sensitive to movement but not fine detail
Perception of Colour
colour is a psychological perception
3 Dimensions of Colour
(perception of colour)
- Blue is the apparent colour of an object (blue)
- Brightness is the intensity of a colour
- Saturation is the purity of a colour
3 Different Types of Cones Found in the Eye
(perception of colour)
Each is sensitive to different wavelengths of light
- S-cones: blue
- M-cones: green
- L-cones: red
Colour Vision Theories
- Young-Helmholtz
- Hearing: Opponent-Process Theory
Young-Helmholtz
(colour vision theories)
- Colour is explained by differential activation of 3 colours elements in the eye
- Could not account for negative colour afterimages
Hearing: Opponent-Process Theory
(colour vision theory)
Colours are derived from the activity of 3 antagonistic systems
- Black-white
- Red-green
- Blue-yellow
Sound
Sound waves are vibrations of molecules travelling through air
- Amplitude - decibles
- Wavelength - frequency (cps or hertz)
- Purity - timbre
External ear
(The Auditory System)
- pinna
- eardrum
Middle ear
(The Auditory System)
- ossicles (hammer, anvil, stirrup)
Inner ear
(the auditory system)
cochlea
Basilar membrane
(the auditory system)
hair cells
Taste: the Gustatory System
- Taste buds
- Perception of flavour
Primary taste
(Taste: the Gustatory System)
sweet
sour
bitter
salty
Papillae
(Taste: the Gustatory System)
circumvallate
foliate
fungiform
Smell: Olfactory System
- Smell: chemical substance dissolved in mucus
- Olfactory cilia
- Olfactory nerves
- Olfactory bulb
Skin Sense
Receptors are localized within the skin to detect physical stimuli In the outside world
3 classes of skin receptors
- Touch: physical contact of objects within the skin
- Temperature of objects
- Pain: the destruction of skin tissue