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MCAT Psych/Soc > Sensory Perception > Flashcards

Sensory Perception Flashcards

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1
Q

Visual Cues

A

Sensory cues received by the eye in the form of light and processed by the visual system during visual perception. Important for perception of depth

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2
Q

Binocular Cues

A

Visual cues that involve the use of both eyes

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3
Q

Retinal Disparity

A

Our eyes are 2.5 inches apart (binocular)

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4
Q

Convergence

A

For things far away, our eyes relax. For things closer, our eyes contract (binocular)

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5
Q

Monocular Cues

A

Cues that involve a single eye

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6
Q

Relative Height

A

Things that are higher are perceived as farther away (monocular)

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7
Q

Motion Parallax

A

Things farther away move slower (monocular)

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8
Q

Interposition

A

Something that is covered by another thing is perceived as farther away than the latter (monocular)

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9
Q

Relative size

A

Two comparable things of the same size – a smaller one is perceived as more distant

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10
Q

Shading and Contour

A

Light and darkness can help us perceive depth

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11
Q

Constancy

A

Perception of an object doesn’t change even if it looks different on our retina

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12
Q

Size constancy

A

Size of objects are consistent even though the sizes on the retina vary greatly with distance

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13
Q

Shape constancy

A

We perceive the shapes of objects the same even if viewing conditions (angles, etc.) change considerably

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14
Q

Color constancy

A

We perceive the color of an object the same even under different illuminants

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15
Q

Sensory Adaptation of Hearing

A

The inner ear muscle contracts in loud noises to reduct vibrations and control volume

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16
Q

Sensory Adaptation of Touch

A

Temperature sensors are desensitized

17
Q

Sensory Adaptation of Smell

A

Desensitization to molecules

18
Q

Sensory Adaptation of Sight

A

Down regulation through contraction of pupils and desensitization of rods and conse
Up regulation through dilation of pupils

19
Q

Weber’s Law

A

The change in intensity of a sensation divided by the value of the original intensity is a constant
Delta I = I k

20
Q

Just noticeable difference

A

The smallest difference in intensity that can be detected 50% of the time (Weber’s Law)

21
Q

Absolute Threshold (definition + factors)

A

Minimum intensity needed to detect a stimulus at least 50% of the time
Factors: Expectations, Experiences, Motivation, Alertness

22
Q

Subliminal Stimuli

A

Stimuli that are under the Absolute Threshold

23
Q

Vestibular System

A

Balance and spatial orientation – focus in the inner ear

24
Q

Semicircular Canals

A

In the inner ear, filled with endolymph. Shift makes us detect head movement and intensity of rotation
Posterior, lateral, and anterior

25
Q

Otolithic Organs

A

Part of the vestibular system. Detect linear acceleration and head positioning
Ca crystals attached to hair cells. Movement pulls on these cells which fire neurons

26
Q

Signal Detection Theory

A

Discerning between important stimuli and noise; can be broken down into four scenarios
Hit: stimulus present and there is a response.
Miss: stimulus present and there is no response
False alarm: stimulus not present and there is a response
Correct rejection: stimulus not present and there is no response

27
Q

Strategies of Signal Detection

A

Three strategies

  1. Liberal: Respond to every stimulus
  2. Conservative: Do not respond unless you’re 100% sure
  3. Ideal: respond when 50% sure
28
Q

Bottom-up Processing

A

Stimulus influences perception; processing sensory information as it comes in

29
Q

Top-down Processing

A

Background knowledge influences perception (driven by cognition)

30
Q

Gestalt Principles (definition + principles)

A

Rules that explain how we perceive visual elements

  1. Similarity: similar items are grouped together
  2. Proximity: items close to each other are grouped together
  3. Continuity: lines are perceived as following a smooth continuous path
  4. Closure: objects close together are perceived as being a whole
  5. Pragnanz: Reality is reduced to the simplest form possible
  6. Symmetry: We perceive objects as symmetrical around a midpoint
31
Q

Law of Common Fate

A

If some objects are doing one thing (ex. moving in one direction) and some other objects are doing another thing (ex. moving in the other direction), we perceive them as two distinct sets of objects

32
Q

Law of Past Experience

A

Visual stimuli are categorized based off of common experience (ex. the letters L and I are not subject to the Law of Similarity)

MCAT Psych/Soc (31 decks)

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