Sensation

Question 1

what is sensation?

Answer 1

transform energy of the universe into something we can understand, sensory input and transmission

Question 2

why is quality of sensation very hard to quantify?

Answer 2

Because subjective experiences are hard to place in categories.

Question 3

define transduction

Answer 3

receptor translates the physical energy

Question 4

what is adaptation?

Answer 4

where an intense stimulus will not be sensed after a certain amount of time

Question 5

define perception

Answer 5

integration of sensory features, to form the percept, but must also integrate memory

Question 6

what are some characteristics of perception?

Answer 6

involves conciousness

processing occurs at a higher level of the brain

Question 7

what is the first feature that must occurr for perception?

Answer 7

we must differentiate what kind of stimulous it is

Question 8

what is the absolute threshold?

Answer 8

the detection of minimum energy required to stimulate the receptor; scientists define it as when you can detect the stimulus 50% of the time

Question 9

what is the difference threshold?

Answer 9

detection of minimum change in energy

Question 10

what does jnd stand for?

Answer 10

just noticeable difference

Question 11

What principle must be in a pattern in order for a change to be detected?

Answer 11

It must be in a constant proportion

Question 12

what is Signal Detection Theory?

Answer 12

the measurement of a threshold (whether the absolute or the difference) requires the observer to consciously perceive a stimulus

Question 13

what is used to detect whether or not the subject is actually sensing anything

Answer 13

a false trial where there is no stimulus

Question 14

define decision making theory

Answer 14

weighing up the outcomes of a decision

Question 15

what are limitations of neuron’s all-or-none law

Answer 15

amplitude modulation not possible

Question 16

what is mullers specificity?

Answer 16

The auditory nerve codes an auditory signal; the optic nerve, visual signals.

Question 17

what is the quality of sound?

Answer 17

the emotion of experience

Question 18

what is the frequency meausrement of sound?

Answer 18

Hz

Question 19

what is the intensity unit of sound

Answer 19

Db

Question 20

what is important to remember about the dB scale

Answer 20

It does not increase in a linear way, it is a log scale

Question 21

what is the flap of the ear called?

Answer 21

pinnae

Question 22

what four parts make up the middle ear?

Answer 22

ear drum, hammer, anvil, stirrup

Question 23

what is the curled thing in the ear called?

Answer 23

cochlea

Question 24

what happens for the cochlea?

Answer 24

when stimulous is received to the ear, the fluid in the cochlea is set in motion

Question 25

what does the fluid in motion in the cochlea do?

Answer 25

the way the fluid moves activates little hairs in a certain way, and those little hairs are attached to nerves. those nerves can then be used to translate the sound

Question 26

define frequency theory

Answer 26

frequency of times auditory nerve fires code frequency (coded by the same number of action potentials)

Question 27

what are the problems frequency theory?

Answer 27

the nerve can only fire 1000 times a second, 1000Hz, but we can hear to 20000

Question 28

what is place theory?

Answer 28

frequency coded by place stimulated on tympanic membrane. the intensity is then coded by the frequency of firing. thus, specific auditory nerve fibers are responsible for certain frequencies.

Question 29

support of place theory?

Answer 29

neuronal population throughout the auditroy relay system (brainstem, thalamous, auditory cortex) do respond to very specific frequnecies.

Question 30

problem with place theory?

Answer 30

low frequencies move the whole basilar membrane. we should therefore hear mixed frequencies, but we do not.

Question 31

what type of frequencies in hearing loss are very rare?

Answer 31

Low frequencies

Question 32

how do we localize sound?

Answer 32

time difference between arrival of sound to ears, and intensity difference between ears.