Vocab 2 Flashcards
define SENSATION
process which sensory receptors of nervous system receive and represent stimulus from environment
define PERCEPTION
process of organizing and interpreting sensory info to recognize meaning
define BOTTOM-UP PROCESSING
analysis of beginning w/sensory receptors and works up to brains integration of sensory info
define TOP-DOWN PROCESSING
info processing by higher level mental processes as when we construct perceptions drawing on experiences and expectations
define SELECTIVE ATTENTIONS
focusing of conscious awareness on articular stimuli
define INATTENTIONAL BLINDNESS
fail to see visible objects when attention moved elsewhere
define CHANGE BLINDNESS
fail to notice environment changes
define PSYCHOPHYSICS
study of relationships between physical characteristics of stimuli and psychological experience of them
define ABSOLUTE THRESHOLD
minimum stimulation to detect stimulus 50% of time
define SIGNAL DETECTION THEORY
predict how and when detect presence of faint stimulus and assumes detection partly based on experiences, expectations, motivations, and alertness and no absolute minimum threshold
define SUBLIMINAL
below one’s absolute threshold to conscious awareness
define PRIMING
gen unconscious activation of certain associations predisposing perception/memory/response
define DIFFERENCE THRESHOLD
minimum difference between 2 stimuli required for detection 50% of time
define WEBER’S LAW
stimuli must differ by constant minimum % to be perceived as different
define TRANSDUCTION
transform stimulus energies into neural impulses the brain can interpret
define SENSORY ADAPTATION
diminished sensitivity bc of constant stimulation
define WAVELENGTH
distance from peak of 1 light/sound wave to peak of next
define HUE
dimension of color determined by wavelength of light
define INTENSITY
amount of energy in light/sound wave determined by wave’s amplitude
define PUPIL
adjustable opening in center of eye through which light enters
define IRIS
ring of muscle tissue that form colored portion of eye around pupil and controls size of pupil opening
define LENS
transparent structure behind pupil changing shape to focus on image
define RETINA
light sensitive inner surface of eyes w/rods and cones
define ACCOMMODATION
process lens changes shapes to focus on near/far objects
define RODS
retinal receptors detecting black, white, and grey necessary for peripheral and twilight vision when cones don’t respond
define CONES
retinal receptors concentrated near center of retina that detect detail and color in well-lit conditions
define OPTIC NERVE
nerve from eye to brain
define BLIND SPOT
point which optic nerve leaves eye creating a blind spot
define FOVEA
central focal point in retina where cones cluster
define FEATURE DETECTORS
nerve cells in brain that respond to specific features of stimuli
define YOUNG-HEMHOLTZ TRICHOMATIC PROCESSING THEORY
theory retina contains 3 different color receptors (green, red, and blue) when stimulated in combo can produce perception of any color
define OPPONENT-PROCESSING THEORY
theory opposing retinal processes enable color vision
define AUDITION
sense/act of hearing
define FREQUENCY
number of complete wavelengths that pass a point of given time
define PITCH
tone either high or low
define MIDDLE EAR
chamber between ear drum and cochlea w/malleus, incus, and stapes concentrating vibrations of eardrum on cochlea oval window
define COCHLEA
coiled, bony fluid-filled tube in inner ear and sound waves traveling through cochlear fluid trigger nerve impulses
define INNER EAR
innermost part of ear w/cochlea, semicircular canal, vestibular sacs
define PLACE THEORY
theory linking pitch w/place where cochlea’s membrane is stimulated
define FREQUENCY THEORY
theory rate of nerve impulses traveling up auditory nerve matching frequency of tone enables sense of pitch
define CONDUCTION HEARING LOSS
hearing loss caused by damage to mechanical system conducting sound waves to cochlea
define SENSORINEURAL HEARING LOSS
hearing loss bc damage to cochlear receptor cells/to auditory nerve
define COCHLEAR IMPLANT
device for converting sounds into electrical signals stimulating auditory nerve through electrodes threaded into cochlea
define KINESTHESIS
system sensing position and movement of body parts
define VESTIBULAR SENSE
sense of body movement and position including balance
define GATE-CONTROL THEORY
theory spinal cord contains “gate” that blocks pain signals/allowing them to pass to brain
define SENSORY INTERACTION
principle that 1 sense may influence another
define GESTALT
organized whole
define FIGURE-GROUND
organization of visual field into objects that stand out from environment
define GROUPING
perceptual tendency to organize stimuli into other coherent groups
define DEPTH PERCEPTION
ability to see objects in 3D allowing images that strike retina are 2D allowing us to judge distance
define VISUAL CLIFF
lab device for testing depth perception in infants and young animals
define BINOCULAR CUES
depth cues using both eyes
define RETINAL DISPARITY
binocular cue to perceive depth by comparing images from both eyes
define MONOCULAR CUES
depth cue using 1 eye
define PHI PHENOMENON
illusion of movement created when 2 or more adjacent lights blink on and off in quick succession
define PERCEPTUAL CONSTANCY
objects unchanging even as illumination and brightness change
define PERCEPTUAL SET
mental predisposition to perceive 1 think and not another
define EXTRASENSORY PERCEPTION
controversial claim perception can occur apart from sensory input (telepathy, precognition, and clairvoyance)
define PARAPSYCHOLOGY
study of paranormal phenomena
define CONSCIOUSNESS
awareness of ourselves and environment
define CIRCADIAN RHYTHM
regular body rhythms on 24 hr cycle
define REM SLEEP
rapid eye movement sleep/paradoxical sleep; recurring sleep stage where vivid dreams commonly occur
define REM REBOUND
tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation
define ALPHA WAVES
relatively slow brain waves of relaxes, awake state
define SLEEP
periodic, natural loss of consciousness
define HALLUCINATIONS
false sensory experiences
define DELTA WAVES
large, slow brain waves associated w/deep sleep
define NREM SLEEP
nonrapid eye movement sleep encompassing all sleep stages except REM
define INSOMNIA
recurring disorder falling/staying asleep
define NARCOLEPSY
disorder w/uncontrollable sleep attacks into REM sleep
define SLEEP APNEA
disorder w/temporary cessations of breathing in sleep and momentary awakenings
define NIGHT TERRORS
disorder w/high arousal and appearance of terror during NREM3 sleep within 2-3 hours and not remembered
define DREAM
sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through sleeping mind w/hallucinatory imagery, discontinuities, and incongruities and dreamer’s delusional acceptance
define MANIFEST CONTENT
remembered story line of a dream according to Freud
define LATENT CONTENT
underlying meaning of a dream according to Freud
define HYPNOSIS
social interaction where subject responds to hypnotist’s suggestions that certain things will spontaneously occur
define POSTHYPNOTIC SUGGESTION
suggestion made during hypnosis to be carried out after hypnosis to control undesired symptoms and behaviors
define DISSOCIATION
split in consciousness allowing some thoughts and behaviors to occur simultaneously
define PSYCHOACTIVE DRUG
drug altering perceptions and moods
define TOLERANCE
diminish effect of drug w/regular use
define WITHDRAWAL
discomfort and distress following stopping of addicting drug/behavior
define PHYSICAL DEPENDENCE
state of person who repeatedly takes drugs and experiences unpleasant physiological symptoms
define ADDICTION
compulsive craving of drugs/behaviors despite known adverse consequences
define DEPRESSANTS
drugs reducing neural activities and slow body functions
define BARBITURATES
drugs depressing CNS activity, decrease anxiety, and impair memory and judgement
define OPIATES
opium and its derivatives depressing neural activity temporarily lessening pain and anxiety
define STIMULANTS
drugs exciting neural activity and speed up body functions
define AMPHETAMINES
drugs stimulating neural activity, speed up body functions, and associate w/energy and mood changes
define METHAMPHETAMINES
drug stimulating CNS w/sped up body functions and associated energy and mood changes decreasing baseline dopamine levels
define ECSTASY (MDMA)
synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen causing euphoria and social intimacy w/health risks and harm to serotonin-producing neurons, mood, and cognition
define HALLUCINOGENS
psychedelic drugs distorting perceptions and evoke sensory images w/o sensory input
define LSD
powerful hallucinogenic drug; aka acid
define NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCES
altered state of consciousness after close brush w/death similar to drug-induced hallucinations
define THC
major active ingredient in marijuana triggering mild effects and hallucinations
