Sensation and Perception

Question 0

Perception

Answer 0

The process of organizing and interpreting sensory information, enabling us to recognize meaningful objects and events.

Question 1

Sensation

Answer 1

The process by which our sensory receptors and nervous system receive and represent stimulus energies from our environment.

Question 2

Bottom-up processing

Answer 2

Analysis that begins with the sensory receptors and works up to the brains integration of sensory information.

Question 3

Top-down processing

Answer 3

Information processing guided by higher-level mental processes, as when we construct perceptions drawing on our experience and expectations.

Question 4

Psychophysics

Answer 4

The study of relationships between the physical characteristics of stimuli, such as their intensity, and our psychological experience of them.

Question 5

Absolute threshold

Answer 5

The minimum stimulation needed to detect a particular stimulus 50% of the time.

Question 6

Signal detection theory

Answer 6

A theory predicting how and when we detect the presence of a faint stimulus (signal) amid background stimulation (noise). Assume there is no single absolute threshold and that detection depends partly on a persons experience, expectations, motivation, and level of fatigue.

Question 7

Subliminal

Answer 7

Below one’s absolute threshold for conscious awareness.

Question 8

Priming

Answer 8

The activation, often unconsciously, of certain associations, thus predisposing one’s perception, memory, or response.

Question 9

Difference threshold

Answer 9

The minimum difference between to stimuli required for detection 50% of the time. We experience the difference threshold as a just noticeable difference.

Question 10

Weber’s law

Answer 10

The principle that, to be perceived as different, two stimuli must differ by a constant minimum percentage (rather than a constant amount).

Question 11

Sensory adaptation

Answer 11

Diminished sensitivity as a consequence of constant stimulation.

Question 12

Transduction

Answer 12

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 brains can interpret.

Question 13

Wavelength

Answer 13

The distance from the peak of one light or sound wave to the peak of the next. Electromagnetic wavelengths vary from the short blips of cosmic rays to the long pulses of radio transmission.

Question 14

Hue

Answer 14

The dimension of color that is determined by the wavelength of light; what we know as the color names blue, green and so forth.

Question 15

Intensity

Answer 15

The amount of energy in a light or sound wave, which we perceive as brightness or loudness, as determined by the wave’s amplitude.

Question 16

Pupil

Answer 16

The adjustable opening in the center of the eye through which light enters.