Sem. 1 - Unit 3 Flashcards
Sensation
the process by which our sensory receptors and nervous system receive and represent stimulus energies from our environment.
Sensory receptors
sensory nerve endings that respond to stimuli.
Perception
sensory nerve endings that respond to stimuli.
Bottom-up processing
analysis that begins with the sensory receptors and works up to the brain’s integration of sensory information
Top-down processing
information processing guided by higher-level mental processes, as when we construct perceptions drawing on our experience and expectations
selective attention
the focusing of conscious awareness on a particular stimulus.
inattentional blindness
information processing guided by higher-level mental processes, as when we construct perceptions drawing on our experience and expectations
change blindness
failing to notice changes in the environment; a form of inattentional blindness.
transduction
conversion of one form of energy into another. In sensation, the transforming of stimulus energies, such as sights, sounds, and smells, into neural impulses our brain can interpret.
psychophysics
the study of relationships between the physical characteristics of stimuli, such as their intensity, and our psychological experience of them.
absolute threshold
the minimum stimulus energy needed to detect a particular stimulus 50 percent of the time
signal detection theory
a theory predicting how and when we detect the presence of a faint stimulus (signal) amid background stimulation (noise). Assumes there is no single absolute threshold and that detection depends partly on a person’s experience, expectations, motivation, and alertness.
subliminal
below one’s absolute threshold for conscious awareness.
difference threshold
the minimum difference between two stimuli required for detection 50 percent of the time. We experience the difference threshold as a just noticeable difference (or jnd)
priming
used to activate unconscious associations
weber’s law
the principle that, to be perceived as different, two stimuli must differ by a constant minimum percentage (rather than a constant amount).
sensory adaptation
diminished sensitivity as a consequence of constant stimulation.
explain how selective attention directs our perceptions
by focusing conscious awareness on a specific stimulus, filtering out other stimuli from our immediate awareness.
explains the difference between absolute and difference thresholds; weber’s law
Absolute threshold is the minimum intensity of a stimulus detectable 50% of the time, while the difference threshold is the smallest detectable difference between two stimuli, with Weber’s law stating that this difference is a constant proportion of the original stimulus intensity.
Describe how we are influenced by subliminal stimuli
Subliminal stimuli, though below our conscious awareness, can subtly influence our thoughts, attitudes, or behaviors without us actively noticing or remembering the stimulus.
explain the function of sensory adaptation
reduces our sensitivity to unchanging stimuli over time, allowing us to focus on changes in our environment that may be more important for survival.
perceptual set
a mental predisposition to perceive one thing and not another
extrasensory perception (ESP)
the controversial claim that perception can occur apart from sensory input; includes telepathy, clairvoyance, and precognition.
parapsychology
the study of paranormal phenomena, including ESP and psychokinesis
telepathy
supposed ability to transmit thoughts or feelings directly from one person’s mind to another without using any known sensory channels.
clairvoyance
laimed ability to gain information about an object, person, or event without using the known human senses or prior knowledge.
psychokinesis/telekinesis
purported ability to move or manipulate objects solely through the power of the mind, without any physical interaction.
precognition
alleged ability to perceive or predict future events before they occur, without any inference from current knowledge.
explain how are expectations, contexts, motivation, and emotions influence our perceptions
by creating a mental framework that biases how we interpret sensory information, often making us more likely to notice or interpret stimuli in ways that align with our current state or experiences.
understand the claims of ESP, and what most research psychologists have concluded after testing these claims
Claims of ESP (extrasensory perception) include abilities like telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, and psychokinesis, but most research psychologists have concluded that scientific evidence for ESP is lacking and that these phenomena are not reliably demonstrated under controlled experimental conditions.
wavelength
the distance from one wave peak to the next
hue
the color we experience
intensity
the amount of energy the wave contains. Intensity influences brightness
cornea
the eye’s clear, protective outer layer, covering the pupil and iris.
pupil
the adjustable opening in the center of the eye through which light enters
iris
a ring of muscle tissue that forms the colored portion of the eye around the pupil and controls the size of the pupil opening.
lens
the transparent structure behind the pupil that changes shape to help focus images on the retina.
retina
the light-sensitive inner surface of the eye, containing the receptor rods and cones plus layers of neurons that begin the processing of visual information
rods
retinal receptors that detect black, white, and gray, and are sensitive to movement; necessary for peripheral and twilight vision, when cones don’t respond
accommodation
To focus the rays, the lens changes its curvature and thickness in a process called accommodation
cones
retinal receptors that are Concentrated near the Center of the retina and that function in daylight or in well-lit conditions. Cones detect fine detail and give rise to Color sensations.
optic nerve
the nerve that carries neural impulses from the eye to the brain
blind spot
an area with no receptor cells, where the optic nerve leaves the eye