SP Exam 1

Question 1

Gustav Fechner

Answer 1

(1801-1887) Relationship between mind and matter

• Sometimes considered the true founder of experimental psych
• Proposed mind, or consciousness, is present in all of nature
• Explained relationship between spiritual and material worlds: mind and body
• Though it should be possible to do so using mathematics

Question 2

Dualism

Answer 2

The idea that the mind has an existence separate from the material world of the body
-Dualists hold that the mind has an existence separate from the material world of the body

Question 3

Materialism

Answer 3

Idea that the only thing that exists is matter, and that all things, including the mind and consciousness, are the results of interaction between bits of matter
-Materialists hold that the mind is not seperate

Question 4

Panpsychism

Answer 4

The idea that the mind exists as property of all matter (all matter has consciousness)

Question 5

Psychophysics

Answer 5

The science of defining quantitative relationships between physical and psychological (subjective) events

Question 6

Ernst Weber

Answer 6

(1795-1878) Anatomist and Physiologist who was interested in touch
-Tested accuracy of touch using compass

Question 7

Two-Point Threshold

Answer 7

The minimum distanct at which two stimuli are just perceptible as separate

Question 8

Just Noticeable Difference (JND) [Difference Threshold]

Answer 8

The smallest detectable difference between two stimuli, or the min change in a stimulus that enables it to be correctly judged as different from a reference stimulus

Question 9

Weber Fraction

Answer 9

The constant of proportionality in Weber’s Law

Question 10

Weber’s Law

Answer 10

The principle describing the relationship between stimulus and resulting sensation that says the JND is a constant fraction of the comparison stimulus

Question 11

Fechner’s Law

Answer 11

A principle describing the relationship between stimulus and resulting sensation that says the magnitude of subjective sensation increases proportionally to the logarithm of the stimulus intensity

Question 12

Absolute Threshold

Answer 12

The minimum amount of stimulation necessary for a person to detect a stimulus 50% of the time

Question 13

Method of Constant Stimuli

Answer 13

A psychophysical method in which many stimuli, ranging from rarely to almost always perceivable (or rarely to almost always perceivably different from a reference stimulus), are presented one at a time. Participants respond to each presentation: “Yes/No,”“Same/Different,” and so on.

Question 14

Method of Limits

Answer 14

A psychophysical method in which the particular dimension of a stimulus, or the difference between two stimuli, is caried incrementally until the participant responds differently

Question 15

Method of Adjustment

Answer 15

A method of limits in which the subject controls the change in the stimulus

Question 16

Magnitude Estimation

Answer 16

A psychophysical method in which the participant assigns values according to perceived magnitudes of the stimuli

Question 17

Steven’s Power Law

Answer 17

A principle describing the relationship between stimulus and resulting sensation that says the magnitude of subjective sensation is proportional to the stimulus magnitude raised an an exponent

Question 18

Cross-Modality Matching

Answer 18

The ability to match the intensities of sensations that come from different sensory modalities. This ability enables insight into sensory differences. For example, a listener might adjust the brightness of a light until it matches the loudness of a tone.

Question 19

Supertaster

Answer 19

An individual whose perception of taste sensations is the most intense

Question 20

Signal Detection Theory

Answer 20

A psychophysical theory that quantifies the response of an observer to the presentation of a signal in the presence of noise. Measures obtained from a series of presentations are sensitivity (d’) and criterion of the observer

Question 21

Criterion

Answer 21

In signal detection theory, an internal threshold that is set by the observer. If the internal response is above criterion, the observer gives one response (ex: “yes I hear that”). Below criterion, the observer gives another response (ex: “no, I hear nothing”).

Question 22

Sensitivity

Answer 22

In signal detection theory, a value that defines the ease with which an observer can tell the difference between the presence and absence of a stimulus or the difference between stimulus 1 and stimulus 2

Question 23

Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curve

Answer 23

In studies of signal detection, the graphical plot of the hit rate as a function of the false-alarm rate. If these are the same, points fall on the diagonal, indicating that the observer cannot tell the difference between the presence and absence of the signal. As the observer’s sensitivity increases, the curve bows upward toward the upper left corner. That point represents a perfect ability to distinguish signal from noise (100% hits, 0% false alarms)

Question 24

Doctrine of Specific Nerve Energies

Answer 24

A doctrine, formulated by Johanes Muler, stating that the nature of a sensation depends on which sensory fibers are stimulated, not on how fibers are stimulated

Question 25

Johannes Muller

Answer 25

German physiologist. Wrote Handbook of Physiology. Formulated doctrine of specific nerve energies

Question 26

Polysensory

Answer 26

Blending multiple sensory systems. Information from more than one sense is being combined in some manner

Question 27

Vitalism

Answer 27

The idea that there is a force in life that is distinct from physical entities

Question 28

Herman Helmholtz

Answer 28

Disliked Mullers idea of vitalism. HE thought all behavior should be explained by only physical forces. Wanted the brain and behavior to obey purely physical laws. Set out to show that the activity of neurons obeys normal rules of physics and chemistry by being the first to effectively measure how fast neurons transmit their signals. Estimated speed of signal transmission in nerves of frog legs.

Question 29

Santiago Ramon y Cajal

Answer 29

Developed insights into the organization of neurons in the brain. Drawings suggested that neurons do not touch

Question 30

Sir Charles Sherrington

Answer 30

named tiny gap between the axon of one neuron and the dendrite of the next a synapse, from the greek word meaning “to fasten together”

Question 31

Synapse

Answer 31

The junction between neurons that permits information transfer

Question 32

Otto Loewi

Answer 32

Proposed something CHEMICAL, instead of electrical, might be at work at the synapse

Question 33

Johannes Muller

Answer 33

German physiologist. Wrote Handbook of Physiology. Formulated doctrine of specific nerve energies

Question 34

Polysensory

Answer 34

Blending multiple sensory systems. Information from more than one sense is being combined in some manner

Question 35

Vitalism

Answer 35

The idea that there is a force in life that is distinct from physical entities

Question 36

Herman Helmholtz

Answer 36

Disliked Mullers idea of vitalism. HE thought all behavior should be explained by only physical forces. Wanted the brain and behavior to obey purely physical laws. Set out to show that the activity of neurons obeys normal rules of physics and chemistry by being the first to effectively measure how fast neurons transmit their signals. Estimated speed of signal transmission in nerves of frog legs.

Question 37

Santiago Ramon y Cajal

Answer 37

Developed insights into the organization of neurons in the brain. Drawings suggested that neurons do not touch

Question 38

Sir Charles Sherrington

Answer 38

named tiny gap between the axon of one neuron and the dendrite of the next a synapse, from the greek word meaning “to fasten together”

Question 39

Synapse

Answer 39

The junction between neurons that permits information transfer

Question 40

Otto Loewi

Answer 40

Proposed something CHEMICAL, instead of electrical, might be at work at the synapse