psychology test 2

Question 1

explain what sensation is.

Answer 1

Process through which the senses detect sensory stimuli and transmit them to the brain.

Question 2

explain what perception is.

Answer 2

process by which sensory info is actively organized and interpreted by the brain.

Question 3

explain what the absolute threshold is.

Answer 3

• The min. amount of sensory stimulation that can be detected.
• The amount of stimulation that you are just barely able to detect.

Question 4

explain what difference threshold is, what is it also called?

Answer 4

-The smallest change in a physical stimulus required to produce a difference in sensation.
- Also called: just noticeable difference (JND)

Question 5

what does JND stand for and explain what it is.

Answer 5

• just noticeable difference.
• depends on percentage of change, not a fixed amount of change.

Question 6

explain what transduction is, and what sensory receptors are.

Answer 6

• Process by which sensory receptors convert stimulation into neural impulses.
• Sensory receptors detect and respond to various stimuli.

Question 7

explain what sensory adaptation is.

Answer 7

• Process of becoming less sensitive to an unchanging sensory stimulus over time.

Question 8

give an example of sensory adaptation.

Answer 8

Example: jumping in a cold lake, the first moment you react to the very cold water, but after a short amount of time you get used to the temperature of the water.

Question 9

what are the 5 components that make up the eye?

Answer 9

1. Iris
2. pupil
3. lens
4. retina
5. optic nerve

Question 10

explain the specific components of the retina

Answer 10

Receptors: rods(detect light, but not color, rods are good for night vision) + cones (receptor that found in the fovea, helps us see colour)
Fovea (only has cones)

Question 11

where is the human “blind spot” found

Answer 11

the optic nerve

Question 12

what are the 2 theories of colour vision?

Answer 12

1. trichromatic theory
2. opponent-process theory

Question 13

explain trichromatic theory?

Answer 13

Within your eye are tiny cells that can receive waves of light and translate them into one of three colors: blue, green, and red.

Question 14

explain opponent-process theory?

Answer 14

• Certain cell increase firing rate to signal one colour, and decrease it to signal the opposing colour (eg. red/green cell, blue/yellow)
• Afterimage

Question 15

what are the three characteristics of sound

Answer 15

1. frequency
2. amplitude
3. timbre

Question 16

briefly explain frequency.

Answer 16

the number of sound waves or cycles per second (hertz); pitch

Question 17

what is amplitude

Answer 17

The loudness (decibels)

Question 18

explain what timbre is.

Answer 18

distinct quality of a sound that distinguishes it from other sounds of the same pitch and loudness.

Question 19

what are the 6 components that make up the human ear?

Answer 19

1. Pinna
2. Auditory canal
3. eardrum
4. ossicles
5. cochlea
6. hair cells