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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
Q

Response compression

Magnitude Estimation

A

As intensity of stimuli increases, perceived magnitude increases more slowly than intensity

26
Q

Response expansion

Magnitude Estimation

A

As intensity of stimuli increases, perceived magnitude increase more quickly than intensity

27
Q

Action Potential

A

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
Q

Spontaneous activity

A

action potentials in the absence of stimuli

29
Q

Neurotrasmitters

A

Released by presynaptic neuron from synaptic vesicles, received by postsynaptic neuron on receptor site

Triggers voltage change in postsynaptic neuron

30
Q

Excitatory Response

A

When a neuron become more positive, more likely chance of action potential, increased firing rate
(Depolarization)

31
Q

Depolarization

A

An excitatory response

32
Q

Inhibitory response

A

When a neuron becomes more negative, less likely chance of action potential, decreased firing rate
(hyperpolarization)

33
Q

Hyperpolarization

A

An inhibitory response

34
Q

Neural circuits

A

interconnected groups of neurons - connected by excitatory and inhibitory synapses

35
Q

Convergence

A

when a number of neurons synapse onto a single neuron

36
Q

Simple circuit

A

No convergence and only excitatory inputs - only indicates a single spot of stimulation

37
Q

Convergent circuit (excitatory)

A

input from each receptor summates into the next neuron in the circuit
- increases size of single neurons response

38
Q

Convergent circuit (excitatory and inhibitory)

A

inputs summate to determine outcome

  • weak response for single inputs and long stimuli
  • maximum firing rate for medium length stimuli
39
Q

Receptive field

A

area of receptors that affect firing rate of a neuron

- measured by using an electrode

40
Q

Output of receptive field

A
  • Highest response when excitatory area is stimulated
  • Lowest response when inhibitory area is stimulated
  • Intermediate responses when both areas are stimulated
41
Q

Center and surround areas of receptive fields

A
  • Excitatory-center-inhibitory-surround

- Inhibitory-center-excitatory-surround

42
Q

Light focusing on retina

A

Cornea - refracts light - the outside curved surface

Lens - focuses light onto the retina

43
Q

Blind spot

A

Occurs where the optic nerve passes through surface of retina, so there are no photoreceptors
- Brain fills in the missing information

44
Q

Convergence (in the retina)

A

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
Q

Rods, Cones and Ganglion cells (in the retina)

A
  • 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
Q

Lateral inhibition

A

inhibition that is transmitted across the retina

47
Q

Lateral inhibition in Limulus

A

Hartline research - a decrease in firing from one receptor as three nearby receptors are also exposed to light

48
Q

Phenomenological report

A

Describing what you see

49
Q

Light perception Phenomena

  • Hermann Grid
  • Mach Bands
  • Simultaneous Contrast
A
  • 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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