TEST 2: sensation and perception Flashcards
Define sensation and perception and explain how they are different
S- Process by which sensory organs in the eyes, ears, mouth, skin receive and detect stimuli (data-based)
P- The organization and interpretation of sensory stimuli by the brain (knowledge-based)
Define transduction and explain how it relates to sensation
The process of transforming stimuli into the electrical and chemical signals of neurons is called transduction, and it is the first step of sensation.
Describe and differentiate between absolute thresholds and difference thresholds
Absolute- the minimum stimulation needed to detect a particular stimuli 50% of the time (touch of a bees wing on your cheek, seeing a candlelight from 30 miles away)
Difference- minimum differences between two stimuli noticed 50% of the time
Explain how electromagnetic energy is transduced into a sensation of vision
Light is transduced into neural activity. The neural signals are processed by the central nervous system, resulting in visual experiences.
Describe the function of rods and cones.
Rods- night vision, black and white, fire to a single photon (particle of light)
Cones- allow us to see fine detail, see in color
Summarize how sound waves are transduced into the sensation of hearing.
The impact of the sound wave bouncing against the eardrum sets off a chain reaction through the three tiny bones in the middle ear: the malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), and stapes (stirrup). The chain reaction of these tiny bones moving each other amplifies the sound wave, turning it into a physical motion with great strength. The malleus pushes the incus; the incus moves the stapes; and the stapes presses on a membrane called the oval window leading to the ear’s deepest cavern, the inner ear. It is in this cavern that transduction occurs.
Describe the process of olfaction.
Odor molecules enter the nose or mouth with airflow, olfactory receptor cells on the olfactory epithelium connect to receptor sites. When enough odor molecules attach to an olfactory receptor neuron, it fires, causing an action potential.
Discuss the structures involved in taste and describe how they work.
The bumps on our tongues are called papillae, and they are home to some 2,000 to 4,000 taste buds. Jutting from each of these buds are 50 to 100 taste receptor cells where food molecules bind (lock and key). The chemicals find their way to matching receptors and latch on, sparking action potentials in sensory neurons, another example of transduction! Signals are then sent to the brain
Identify the principles of perceptual organization.
Proximity- objects close together are perceived as a group.
Similarity—Objects similar in shape or color are perceived as a group.
Connectedness—Connected objects are perceived as a group.
Closure—Gaps tend to be filled in if something isn’t complete.
Continuity—Parts tend to be perceived as members of a group if they head in the same direction.
Identify concepts involved in depth perception.
Depth perception is innate, babies and other animals avoided the “visual cliff”. Binocular cues are information gathered from both eyes to help judge depth and distance. The more tension we experience in our eyes, the closer the object is (convergence). If the objects look the same, they are farther, the more different they look, the object is closer up (retinal disparity).
