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PSY3051 > Topic 1 - Introduction to Perception > Flashcards

Topic 1 - Introduction to Perception Flashcards

1
Q

The Perceptual Process

A

The journey from stimuli to responses in seven steps

  • Distal and Proximal Stimuli
  • Receptor Processes
  • Neural Processing
  • Behavioural Response
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2
Q

Sensation vs Perception

A

Sensation involves simple processes that occur at the beginning of a sensory system, while perception is identified with complex processes that involve higher-order mechanisms

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3
Q

Distal and Proximal Stimuli (Step 1 and 2)

A

Distal Stimulus - a distant stimulus, light reflected from the stimulus reaching the visual receptors
Proximal Stimulus - the image on the retina caused by light reflections

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4
Q

Principle of transformation

A

stimuli and responses created by stimuli are transformed between the distal stimulus and perception

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5
Q

Principle of representation

A

everything a person perceives is based not on direct contact with stimuli but on representations of stimuli that are formed on the receptors

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6
Q

Receptor Processes (Step 3)

A
  • Sensory Receptors
  • Visual Pigment
  • Transduction
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7
Q

Transduction

Step 3

A

transformation of one form of energy to another form (light energy to electrical energy in this case)

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8
Q

Sensory Receptors

Step 3

A

Cells specialised to respond to environmental energy

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9
Q

Visual Pigment

Step 3

A

Visual pigment - light-sensitive chemical in visual receptors causing them to transform light energy into electrical energy

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10
Q

Neural Processing (Step 4)

A

Changes in signals that occur as they are transmitted through a maze of neurons

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11
Q

Behavioural Response (Steps 5-7)

A

Electrical signals are transformed into conscious experience

A person perceives (step 5) and then recognises (step 6) and then takes action (step 7)

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12
Q

Bottom-up processing

A

AKA data-based processing

Based on stimuli reaching the receptors

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13
Q

Top-down processing

A

AKA knowledge-based processing

Based on existing knowledge

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14
Q

(The Perceptual Process)

Psychophysical Approach

A

The stimulus-perception relationship

- relates stimuli to behaviour responses (steps 1-2 and 5-7)

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15
Q

(The Perceptual Process)

Physiological Approach 1
Stimulus-physiological

A

Focuses on the relationship between stimuli and physiological response (steps 1-2 and 3-4)

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16
Q

(The Perceptual Process)

Physiological Approach 2
Physiology-perception

A

Focuses on the relationship between physiological responses and behavioural responses (steps 3-4 and 5-7)

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17
Q

Thresholds

A

measure the limits of sensory systems

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18
Q

Absolute threshold

A

the smallest stimulus level that can be detected

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19
Q

Difference threshold

A

smallest difference between two stimuli that can be detected

- also known as Limen

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20
Q

Method of limits

A

stimuli is presented in different intensities in either ascending order or descending order

eg. a hearing test where you respond when you first hear the sound, which is presented in increasing volume

21
Q

Method of adjustment

A

stimulus intensity is adjusted until observer hears it

- repeated trials are averaged for result

22
Q

Method of constant stimuli

A

Five to nine stimuli are present in a random order

23
Q

Weber’s Law

A

the size of just noticeable difference is proportional to the original stimulus value

DL / S = K

24
Q

Magnitude Estimation

A

Experimenter first gives a standard stimulus and assigns it a value. Observer is asked to give difference values to stimuli of varying intensity

25
Response compression | Magnitude Estimation
As intensity of stimuli increases, perceived magnitude increases more slowly than intensity
26
Response expansion | Magnitude Estimation
As intensity of stimuli increases, perceived magnitude increase more quickly than intensity
27
Action Potential
Na+ flows into fibre and makes neuron more positive K+ flows out and makes neuron more negative Na+ is pumped out and returns it to a normal level Propagated response - once triggered, it travels all the way down axon without decreasing in size Increases in rate in response to increased stimulus intensity Refractory period of 1mm - upper rate is 500-800 impulses per second
28
Spontaneous activity
action potentials in the absence of stimuli
29
Neurotrasmitters
Released by presynaptic neuron from synaptic vesicles, received by postsynaptic neuron on receptor site Triggers voltage change in postsynaptic neuron
30
Excitatory Response
When a neuron become more positive, more likely chance of action potential, increased firing rate (Depolarization)
31
Depolarization
An excitatory response
32
Inhibitory response
When a neuron becomes more negative, less likely chance of action potential, decreased firing rate (hyperpolarization)
33
Hyperpolarization
An inhibitory response
34
Neural circuits
interconnected groups of neurons - connected by excitatory and inhibitory synapses
35
Convergence
when a number of neurons synapse onto a single neuron
36
Simple circuit
No convergence and only excitatory inputs - only indicates a single spot of stimulation
37
Convergent circuit (excitatory)
input from each receptor summates into the next neuron in the circuit - increases size of single neurons response
38
Convergent circuit (excitatory and inhibitory)
inputs summate to determine outcome - weak response for single inputs and long stimuli - maximum firing rate for medium length stimuli
39
Receptive field
area of receptors that affect firing rate of a neuron | - measured by using an electrode
40
Output of receptive field
- Highest response when excitatory area is stimulated - Lowest response when inhibitory area is stimulated - Intermediate responses when both areas are stimulated
41
Center and surround areas of receptive fields
- Excitatory-center-inhibitory-surround | - Inhibitory-center-excitatory-surround
42
Light focusing on retina
Cornea - refracts light - the outside curved surface | Lens - focuses light onto the retina
43
Blind spot
Occurs where the optic nerve passes through surface of retina, so there are no photoreceptors - Brain fills in the missing information
44
Convergence (in the retina)
Rods have greater convergence than cones - results in summation in inputs of many rods into ganglion cells increasing likelihood of response (therefore more sensitive to light, cannot distinguish detail) All-cone foveal vision results in high visual acuity - less convergence means attention to detail, but needs more light to respond
45
Rods, Cones and Ganglion cells (in the retina)
- 126 million rods and cones converge into 1 million ganglion cells - Average of 120 rods to 1 ganglion cell, 6 cones to one ganglion cell
46
Lateral inhibition
inhibition that is transmitted across the retina
47
Lateral inhibition in Limulus
Hartline research - a decrease in firing from one receptor as three nearby receptors are also exposed to light
48
Phenomenological report
Describing what you see
49
Light perception Phenomena - Hermann Grid - Mach Bands - Simultaneous Contrast
- Hermann Grid - seeing black dots at white intersections - Receptors responding to corridors send inhibiting signals to receptor at intersection - causes a reduced response, hence grey - Mach Bands - seeing borders more sharply (as different colours) - Simultaneous Contrast - seeing areas of different brightness due to adjacent areas (see notes for images)

PSY3051 (6 decks)

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