Sensation & Perception Flashcards

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1
Q

Sensation

A

The process by our sensory receptors and nervous system receive and represent stimulus energies from our environment (PNS)

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2
Q

Perception

A

Process of organizing and interpreting sensory information, enabling us to recognize meaningful events (CNS)

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3
Q

Sensory adaptation

A

Sensitivity to prolonged stimulation tends to decline over time as an organism adapts to current (unchanging) conditions [stop noticing]

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4
Q

Habituation

A

Decrease in response to a stimulus after repeated presentation [stop reacting]

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5
Q

Psychophysics

A

Methods that ensure the strength of a stimulus and the observer’s sensitivity to the stimulus

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6
Q

Sensitivity

A

How responsive to faint stimuli

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7
Q

Acuity

A

How well we can distinguish two very similar stimuli

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8
Q

Absolute threshold

A

Minimum stimulus energy needed to detect a particular stimulus 50% of the time

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9
Q

Just noticeable difference (JND)

A

Minimal change in a stimulus that can just barely be detected

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10
Q

Weber’s law

A

Magnitude needed to detect physical change in a stimulus is proportional to the absolute magnitude of that stimulus

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11
Q

Signal detection theory

A

Psychological theory predicting how and when we detect a faint stimulus (signal) amid background stimulation (noise)

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12
Q

Perceptual set

A

Readiness to perceive a stimulus in a particular way

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13
Q

Myopia (nearsightedness)

A

Faraway objects are focused in front of retina

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14
Q

Hyperopia (farsightedness)

A

Nearby objects are focused beyond retina

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15
Q

Cones

A

Center of retina, cells sensitive to fine detail and color

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16
Q

Rods

A

Periphery of retina, cells sensitive to low light and black-and-white

17
Q

Blindspot

A

Location in the visual field that produces no sensation on the retina

18
Q

Trichromatic theory

A

Thomas Young & Hermann von Helmholtz - Color perception is produced by red, green, and blue color receptors

19
Q

Perceptual constancy

A

Even as aspects of sensory signals change, perception remains constant (door opening)

20
Q

Perceptual contrast

A

Although two things may be similar we perceive them as different (blue/black dress vs white/gold dress)

21
Q

Gestalt perceptual grouping rules

A

Simplicity, closure, continuity, similarity, proximity, common fate

22
Q

Monocular depth cues

A

Linear perspective, texture gradient, interposition, relative height

23
Q

Binocular depth cues

A

Retinal disparity (retinas receive different images) & convergence (Cue caused by the way our eye muscles turn our eyes inward)

24
Q

Outer ear

A

Pinna, auditory canal

25
Q

Middle ear

A

ossicles, eardrum, oval window

26
Q

Inner ear

A

Cochlea, auditory nerve, hair cells, basilar membrane

27
Q

Place theory

A

Pitch we perceive depends on which parts of cochlea are stimulated

28
Q

Frequency theory

A

Perception of pitch depends on frequency of vibration of cochlea

29
Q

Sensorineural hearing loss

A

Damage to cochlea or hair cells

30
Q

Conduction hearing loss

A

Damage to outer or middle ear

31
Q

Vestibular sense

A

Awareness of body balance and movement (sense of equilibrium) Thanks to semicircular canals and vestibular sacs

32
Q

Kinesthesis

A

Sense that provides info through receptors in muscles, tendons, joints

33
Q

Haptic perception

A

Active exploration of environment by touching and grasping objects

34
Q

Tactile receptive field

A

Small patch of skin that relates information about pain, pressure, warmth, and cold

35
Q

Smell (olfaction)

A

Includes nose, mouth, upper part of throat

36
Q

Nociceptors

A

Sensory receptor for painful stimuli (C fibers, slow/small, A fibers, fast/large)