Perceptual processes ch 1

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Questions and Answers

Which neuroimaging technique shares the high temporal resolution of EEG?

fMRI

PET

MEG (correct)

MRI

Which neuroimaging technique relies on the detection of photons emitted from the annihilation of positrons and electrons?

fMRI

PET (correct)

MRI

MEG

Which neuroimaging technique offers the highest spatial resolution?

fMRI (correct)

MEG

MRI

EEG

Which of the following neuroimaging techniques involves injecting a radioactive tracer into the body?

PET (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main contrast mechanism used in MRI?

Magnetic properties of atoms (A) Signup and view all the answers

In CT imaging, which tissue type absorbs the most X-rays?

Bone (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which neuroimaging technique provides a 2D image based on the absorption of X-rays?

CT (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of computational models in sensory neuroscience?

Predicting and explaining how the brain processes sensory information (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does the menthol in peppermint candy affect our perception of coldness?

It activates cold receptors without changing the temperature, making them hypersensitive. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of taking a big gulp of cold water after eating peppermint candy?

To trigger sensitized cold receptors in the mouth, creating a stronger sensation of coldness. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is sensory integration (multisensory integration)?

The process of combining information from different sensory modalities. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the sensory neuron in the process of feeling pain after stubbing a toe?

It converts the impact into an electrical signal and transmits it to the spinal cord. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is one way neuroscientists can study how neurons transmit information from sense organs through higher brain levels?

By recording the electrical activity of neurons using electrodes. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of measuring how often a neuron fires?

It indicates the strength of the stimulus that triggered the firing. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does EEG measure?

The electrical activity from populations of neurons in the brain. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of using EEG to study brain activity?

It has low spatial resolution (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve depict?

The relationship between the hit rate and the false alarm rate. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of most methods used in the study of the time course of perception?

Whether a stimulus is detected. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How is a 'masking' stimulus used in the study of the time course of perception?

To measure the duration of perceptual processing. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between SOA (Stimulus Onset Asynchrony) and the amount of information that can be processed?

SOA is directly proportional to the amount of information processed. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is generally required to identify a specific member of a category, like a 'kitchen chair', compared to identifying a basic category, like 'chair'?

Longer SOA. (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, how long does it take to get a general idea of an image?

50ms. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of changing the decision criterion in a signal detection task?

It shifts the performance along the ROC curve. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between sensitivity (d') and the pattern of errors in signal detection?

Higher sensitivity leads to fewer misses and fewer false alarms. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Based on the information presented in the content, what is the relationship between the duration of a presented image and its perceived detail?

Longer presentation times lead to more perceived detail. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a sense that is discussed in the text?

Proprioception (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between sensation and perception?

All of the above. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the brain in perception?

The brain receives sensory signals and processes them to give meaning to the stimuli. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the stimulus you're trying to detect?

signal (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does internal noise refer to?

Stimuli created by your nervous system (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the founder of experimental psychology who examined the connection between mind and matter?

Gustav Fechner (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key idea that Fechner derived for his branch of science?

All of the above (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the criterion in signal detection theory?

A point that decides if you perceive the signal (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the study of thresholds in perception?

To measure the minimum and maximum levels of stimulation that can be detected by our senses. (D) Signup and view all the answers

If the participant grabs the key and does not pull their hand out, what is this called?

Miss (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which two outcomes correctly describe true negatives?

Correct Rejection & Miss (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the feeling of cold, itch, or tickle?

Interoception (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a method for measuring perception?

Introspection (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the sensitivity value or 'd prime' refer to in signal detection theory?

The degree to which the signal and noise distributions overlap (A) Signup and view all the answers

When is sensitivity considered high?

When signal and noise share very little overlap (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following would likely lead to more hits rather than false alarms?

The signal being strong, the noise being weak (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the doctrine of specific nerve energies?

Sensation depends on which sensory fibers are stimulated, regardless of the type of stimulus. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between simple reaction time and more complex acts of perception?

Simple reaction time is a direct response to a stimulus while more complex acts of perception requires processing and interpreting the stimuli. (A) Signup and view all the answers

If the reaction time to a specific stimulus is measured to be over 400 milliseconds, which sensory system is most likely involved?

Vestibular (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why do we often see stars when we bump our head?

The pressure from the impact stimulates the optic nerve, sending signals to the brain that are interpreted as visual stimuli. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Choose the correct statement regarding nerve signals and their connection to the brain.

There are 12 pairs of nerves originating in the brain stem, each controlling specific sensory organs or muscles on one side of the body. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How are signals from the environment converted into signals that the brain can understand?

Sensory organs convert environmental signals into electrochemical signals that are then transmitted to the brain. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the misconception about 'spicy' as a flavor?

The chemical responsible for the feeling of 'spicy,' capsaicin, is not a flavor but stimulates temperature-sensitive fibers, sending a signal to the brain that interpreted as hot. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main takeaway from the discussion of different sensory systems and their reaction times?

Reaction times across different sensory systems vary significantly due to differences in the complexity of signal processing. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Sensation and Perception

Sensation is the ability to detect a stimulus, resulting in a private experience.
Senses are specialized structures that receive signals from the environment and send this information to the brain for processing.
Perception is giving meaning to the detection of a stimulus, allowing interpretation, reaction, and understanding of the experience.
The brain receives sensory signals and, through processing, creates perception.

The Physical World

How do we know the sky is blue?
How do we know it is cold outside?
How do we know where a bird is calling from?

The Five Senses

Sight, touch, taste, hearing, and smell.
Additional senses may exist (e.g., interoception).

Methods for Measuring Perception

Thresholds: Methods to evaluate the minimum and maximum levels of stimulation that can be detected by the senses.
- This includes two-point thresholds, just noticeable differences, and absolute thresholds.
- Methods of measuring thresholds include methods of constant stimuli, limits, and adjustment.
Scaling: Assigning values to perceived magnitudes of stimulus changes. Magnitude estimation is one scaling method.
Signal Detection Theory: Understanding how we detect signals from noise (internal and external), with a criterion to set between signal and noise.
- Measures the ability of an observer to distinguish signal from noise.
- Sensitivity.
- Measures for discrimination between stimuli.
Time Course of Perception: Measuring how long it takes to detect and perceive stimuli. Measuring stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) through various testing methods.
Sensory Neuroscience: Study of the physiological processes underlying sensation and perception.
- Sensory transduction: Conversion of physical stimuli into neural signals.
- Neural pathways: How signals are transmitted from sensory receptors to the brain.
- Brain areas specialized for particular sensations and perceptions
- Brain imaging techniques (EEG, MEG, CT, MRI, fMRI, PET).
Computational Models: Using statistics and computer simulations to understand how the brain processes information and produces perceptual experiences.

Weber's Law: The just noticeable difference between a comparison stimulus and a standard stimulus is a constant fraction of the standard stimulus.
Fechner's Law:
- The problem with Weber's Law is it is not universal.
- Fechner's law adapted Weber's Law to make it universal.
- S = k log R, where S is psychological sensation, R is the logarithm of the physical stimulus level, and k is the constant (proportional to the standard stimulus)
Further analysis of thresholds: explains how the perceived intensity of stimuli increases at a slower rate than physical stimulus. This is different for various stimuli.

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Description

This quiz covers various neuroimaging techniques, including their spatial and temporal resolutions, as well as the mechanisms behind MRI and CT imaging. Additionally, it explores concepts related to sensory neuroscience, such as sensory integration and the physiological effects of substances like menthol. Test your knowledge in both fields and discover how they intersect.