AP Psych Unit 4: Sensation and Perception

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Questions and Answers

What is sensation?

The process by which our sensory receptors and nervous system receive and represent stimulus energies from our environment.

What is perception?

The process of organizing and interpreting sensory information.

What is bottom-up processing?

Analysis that begins with the sensory receptors and works up to the brain's integration of sensory information.

What is top-down processing?

Information processing guided by higher-level mental processes. Signup and view all the answers

What is selective attention?

The focusing of conscious awareness on a particular stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is inattentional blindness?

Failing to see visible objects when our attention is directed elsewhere. Signup and view all the answers

What is change blindness?

Failing to notice changes in the environment. Signup and view all the answers

What is transduction?

Conversion of one form of energy into another. Signup and view all the answers

What is psychophysics?

The study of relationships between the physical characteristics of stimuli and our psychological experience of them. Signup and view all the answers

What is absolute threshold?

The minimum stimulation needed to detect a particular stimulus 50 percent of the time. Signup and view all the answers

What is signal detection theory?

A theory predicting how and when we detect the presence of a faint stimulus amid background stimulation. Signup and view all the answers

What is subliminal?

Below one's absolute threshold for conscious awareness. Signup and view all the answers

What is priming?

The activation, often unconsciously, of certain associations. Signup and view all the answers

What is difference threshold?

The minimum difference between two stimuli required for detection 50 percent of the time. Signup and view all the answers

What is Weber's law?

The principle that two stimuli must differ by a constant minimum percentage to be perceived as different. Signup and view all the answers

What is sensory adaptation?

Diminished sensitivity as a consequence of constant stimulation. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sensation and Perception Concepts

Sensation involves the process where sensory receptors receive and represent environmental stimulus energies, transmitting this information to the brain.
Perception is the organization and interpretation of sensory information, allowing recognition of meaningful objects and events.

Processing Types

Bottom-up processing starts with sensory receptors and works up to the brain's higher-level integration of sensory input.
Top-down processing is guided by higher-level mental processes, constructing perceptions based on experience and expectations.

Attention Mechanisms

Selective attention focuses conscious awareness on a specific stimulus while ignoring others.
Inattentional blindness occurs when individuals fail to see visible objects when attention is directed elsewhere, exemplified by the basketball video with players in different colored shirts.
Change blindness refers to the failure to notice changes in the environment.

Energy Conversion and Perception

Transduction is the conversion of physical stimulus energy (like sights or sounds) into neural impulses the brain can interpret.
Psychophysics studies the relationship between physical characteristics of stimuli and the psychological experiences derived from them.

Thresholds and Detection

Absolute threshold is the minimum stimulation needed to detect a particular stimulus 50% of the time, such as in hearing tests.
Signal detection theory predicts how and when a faint stimulus can be detected amidst background noise, influenced by experience, expectations, motivation, and alertness.
Subliminal stimuli are below the absolute threshold for conscious awareness, implying they cannot be detected 50% of the time.

Influence of Associations

Priming activates certain associations, often unconsciously, which predisposes perceptions, memories, or responses to stimuli.
The difference threshold (just noticeable difference or jnd) is the minimum difference required between two stimuli for detection 50% of the time.

Key Laws and Adaptation

Weber's law states that for stimuli to be perceived as different, they must differ by a constant minimum percentage, not a constant amount.
Sensory adaptation refers to diminished sensitivity due to constant stimulation, allowing individuals to focus on changes in their environment.

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Description

Test your understanding of key concepts in AP Psychology Unit 4, which covers Sensation and Perception. This quiz features essential definitions and examples that illustrate how our sensory systems work. Enhance your knowledge and prepare for exams with these flashcards.