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Questions and Answers
Which philosophical perspective aligns with the idea that everything material has a mental aspect?
Which philosophical perspective aligns with the idea that everything material has a mental aspect?
- Panpsychism (correct)
- Idealism
- Materialism
- Dualism
In Fechner's psychophysics, what does the variable 'k' represent in the equation $p = k \times log(S/S_0)$?
In Fechner's psychophysics, what does the variable 'k' represent in the equation $p = k \times log(S/S_0)$?
- Modality-specific factor affecting function steepness (correct)
- Subjective percept
- Absolute threshold of the stimulus
- Physical intensity of the stimulus
According to Fechner's law, how does the perceived difference between two stimuli relate to their physical intensities at higher magnitudes?
According to Fechner's law, how does the perceived difference between two stimuli relate to their physical intensities at higher magnitudes?
- Smaller absolute differences are needed to produce the same perceived difference.
- Equal absolute differences are always equally perceptible, regardless of magnitude.
- Larger absolute differences are needed to produce the same perceived difference. (correct)
- The perceived difference decreases linearly with increasing physical intensity.
How does a high Weber fraction typically correlate with discriminability between two different intensities?
How does a high Weber fraction typically correlate with discriminability between two different intensities?
Which of the following is the correct sequence representing the three steps of sensation and perception?
Which of the following is the correct sequence representing the three steps of sensation and perception?
In sensory processing, what is the role of 'transduction'?
In sensory processing, what is the role of 'transduction'?
What is the primary role of an action potential in the process of sensation?
What is the primary role of an action potential in the process of sensation?
During the transmission stage of sensation, which of the following structures plays a role in relaying sensory information to the cortex?
During the transmission stage of sensation, which of the following structures plays a role in relaying sensory information to the cortex?
What is the general function of the sensory cortices in the context of perception?
What is the general function of the sensory cortices in the context of perception?
In the context of sensation and perception, what is the significance of the modality-specific factor 'k' in Fechner's law regarding sensory modalities such as touch and loudness?
In the context of sensation and perception, what is the significance of the modality-specific factor 'k' in Fechner's law regarding sensory modalities such as touch and loudness?
How are a high 'k' value in Fechner's function and a high Weber fraction related regarding sensory discriminability?
How are a high 'k' value in Fechner's function and a high Weber fraction related regarding sensory discriminability?
Considering Weber's fraction and the 'k' factor in Fechner's function, what is their relationship to each other?
Considering Weber's fraction and the 'k' factor in Fechner's function, what is their relationship to each other?
Stanley Smith Stevens used magnitude estimation to measure perceived intensity. If a standard stimulus is assigned a value of 10, and a participant rates a second stimulus as 42, how should this be interpreted?
Stanley Smith Stevens used magnitude estimation to measure perceived intensity. If a standard stimulus is assigned a value of 10, and a participant rates a second stimulus as 42, how should this be interpreted?
In Stevens' power law, what does the exponent 'a' control in the equation $psy(I) = kI^a$?
In Stevens' power law, what does the exponent 'a' control in the equation $psy(I) = kI^a$?
What distinguishes prothetic sensations from metathetic sensations?
What distinguishes prothetic sensations from metathetic sensations?
How is the difference threshold defined, considering the probabilistic nature of sensory perception?
How is the difference threshold defined, considering the probabilistic nature of sensory perception?
What does the method of constant stimuli typically involve in threshold measurement?
What does the method of constant stimuli typically involve in threshold measurement?
In the method of limits for threshold measurement, how are stimulus intensities typically presented?
In the method of limits for threshold measurement, how are stimulus intensities typically presented?
How does the staircase method adjust stimulus presentation in threshold measurement?
How does the staircase method adjust stimulus presentation in threshold measurement?
What is a key characteristic of the method of adjustment in measuring sensory thresholds?
What is a key characteristic of the method of adjustment in measuring sensory thresholds?
According to Signal Detection Theory (SDT), what is 'noise'?
According to Signal Detection Theory (SDT), what is 'noise'?
In the context of Signal Detection Theory (SDT), what is a 'response bias'?
In the context of Signal Detection Theory (SDT), what is a 'response bias'?
Within Signal Detection Theory (SDT), what does sensitivity (d') indicate?
Within Signal Detection Theory (SDT), what does sensitivity (d') indicate?
In Signal Detection Theory (SDT), what does 'criterion' refer to?
In Signal Detection Theory (SDT), what does 'criterion' refer to?
Within the framework of Signal Detection Theory(SDT), if an experimenter threatens to punish a participant for falsely reporting the presence of a stimulus, how would this likely affect the participant's criterion?
Within the framework of Signal Detection Theory(SDT), if an experimenter threatens to punish a participant for falsely reporting the presence of a stimulus, how would this likely affect the participant's criterion?
According to Signal Detection Theory, which outcome occurs when a signal is present, and the participant reports it?
According to Signal Detection Theory, which outcome occurs when a signal is present, and the participant reports it?
According to Signal Detection Theory, what is indicated by the area under the ROC curve?
According to Signal Detection Theory, what is indicated by the area under the ROC curve?
In Signal Detection Theory, an ROC curve plots:
In Signal Detection Theory, an ROC curve plots:
How might a point falling to the left of the ROC curve be interpreted in terms of a participants' criterion?
How might a point falling to the left of the ROC curve be interpreted in terms of a participants' criterion?
According to Gustav Fechner, what is the relationship between the difference between 40 and 41 grams, and the difference between 400 and 410 grams?
According to Gustav Fechner, what is the relationship between the difference between 40 and 41 grams, and the difference between 400 and 410 grams?
How are Weber's fraction and k-factor related to Fechner's function to the discrimination of intensities?
How are Weber's fraction and k-factor related to Fechner's function to the discrimination of intensities?
What does ‘Magnitude Rating’ attempt to measure with respect to sensation and perception?
What does ‘Magnitude Rating’ attempt to measure with respect to sensation and perception?
According to The Three Steps of Sensation and Perception, what occurs when there is an influence from higher cognitive processes like memories causing modification of perceptual experience
According to The Three Steps of Sensation and Perception, what occurs when there is an influence from higher cognitive processes like memories causing modification of perceptual experience
Which Sensory Dimension has a lower Weber fraction? (less stimulus to perceive a difference)
Which Sensory Dimension has a lower Weber fraction? (less stimulus to perceive a difference)
What is the fundamental assertion of panpsychism, a philosophical viewpoint associated with Gustav Fechner?
What is the fundamental assertion of panpsychism, a philosophical viewpoint associated with Gustav Fechner?
According to Fechner's Law, how does subjective perception (p) change in relation to increases in the physical intensity of a stimulus (S)?
According to Fechner's Law, how does subjective perception (p) change in relation to increases in the physical intensity of a stimulus (S)?
In the context of Fechner's Law, what does a higher value of the modality-specific factor 'k' signify?
In the context of Fechner's Law, what does a higher value of the modality-specific factor 'k' signify?
In the three steps of sensation and perception (transduction, transmission, and perception), what is the primary function of transduction?
In the three steps of sensation and perception (transduction, transmission, and perception), what is the primary function of transduction?
Within the three steps of sensation and perception, which of the following best characterizes the 'transmission' stage?
Within the three steps of sensation and perception, which of the following best characterizes the 'transmission' stage?
During sensory transmission, which structure serves as a key relay station for sensory information en route to the cerebral cortex?
During sensory transmission, which structure serves as a key relay station for sensory information en route to the cerebral cortex?
In the context of sensory perception, what is the primary role of the sensory cortices?
In the context of sensory perception, what is the primary role of the sensory cortices?
What characterizes 'absolute magnitude ratings' in the context of measuring sensory experiences?
What characterizes 'absolute magnitude ratings' in the context of measuring sensory experiences?
In the context of sensory perception, what is the defining characteristic of prothetic sensations?
In the context of sensory perception, what is the defining characteristic of prothetic sensations?
How is the 'difference threshold' (or JND - just noticeable difference) best defined, considering the probabilistic nature of perception?
How is the 'difference threshold' (or JND - just noticeable difference) best defined, considering the probabilistic nature of perception?
Flashcards
What is Panpsychism?
What is Panpsychism?
The idea that everything material also has a mental aspect.
What is a Just Noticeable Difference (JND)?
What is a Just Noticeable Difference (JND)?
A small difference in stimulus that is still detectable.
What is the absolute threshold (SO)?
What is the absolute threshold (SO)?
The smallest intensity of a stimulus that can be perceived.
What is 'k' in Fechner's Law?
What is 'k' in Fechner's Law?
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What is discriminability?
What is discriminability?
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What is transduction?
What is transduction?
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What is an action potential?
What is an action potential?
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What are prothetic sensations?
What are prothetic sensations?
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What are metathetic sensations?
What are metathetic sensations?
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What is the Difference Threshold?
What is the Difference Threshold?
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What is the Detection Threshold?
What is the Detection Threshold?
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What is response bias?
What is response bias?
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What is sensitivity (d')?
What is sensitivity (d')?
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What is the criterion in SDT?
What is the criterion in SDT?
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What is the Signal?
What is the Signal?
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What is the Noise?
What is the Noise?
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Study Notes
- Gustav Theodor Fechner lived from 1801 to 1887.
Panpsychism
- Is the idea that everything material has a mental aspect.
- Differs from dualism, which suggests mind and matter can exist independently.
- Descartes believed non-human animals lack souls.
- Proposes reality is one piece with material and mental aspects.
Just Noticeable Difference (JND)
- Each JND is perceptually equivalent.
- The 1 gram difference between 40 and 41 grams is perceptually equivalent to the 10 gram difference between 410 and 400 grams.
- "p" represents subjective percept.
- "S" represents the physical intensity of the stimulus.
- "S0" represents the smallest intensity of the stimulus that can be perceived, also known as absolute threshold.
- "k" is a modality-specific factor controlling the steepness of the function, depending on the sensory modality.
- If the smallest perceivable weight is 10 grams, everything is rescaled accordingly.
- If S = 10 grams, then the equation is p = k x log(10/10).
- Log(1) = 0, so the function would stop at S = 10 grams.
The Role of the 'k' Variable
- Closely related (but not identical to) Weber's fraction.
- Accounts for different slopes of logarithmic functions for different senses.
- Discriminability is how easy it is is to differentiate between two different intensities.
- High Weber fractions may mean low discriminability.
- High "k" value in Fechner's function indicates high discriminability.
- Weber's fraction and the "k" factor may be negatively related.
Methods to Study Sensation and Perception
- Physiological methods
- Computational methods like psychophysics
Three Steps of Sensation and Perception
- Transduction
- Transmission/modulation
- Perception/modulation
Transduction Described
- Physical stimulus interacts with a receptor on a sensory neuron, causing it to fire; stimulus is transduced into an electrical signal.
- An action potential is a rapid, temporary electrical signal that travels along neuron or muscle cell membranes.
- Occurs when cell membrane potential rapidly depolarizes and then repolarizes, transmitting information or triggering a response.
Transmission/Modulation Step
- This step involves a synapse, the location where a nerve impulse passes from one neuron to another.
- Cranial nerves are involved in the transmission of signals.
- Somatic nerves are also part of this process.
- The thalamus is an important structure in this step.
Perception/Modulation Step
- Entails sensory cortices.
Stanley Smith Stevens (1906 – 1973)
- Sought to measure how much more or less intense two stimuli of different intensities are perceived in proportion.
Magnitude Rating
- Involves assessing how intense a percept is in relation to two "absolute" boundaries.
- Cross-modality matching is a solution where one sensory modality relates to another
- For example, is my 10/100 equal to yours?
Prothetic and Metathetic Sensations
- Prothetic sensations vary in intensity or magnitude (loudness, brightness, weight) and are additive.
- Metathetic sensations vary in quality or kind (pitch, color, taste) and involve categorical changes, instead of intensity variations.
Thresholding
- Difference Threshold: Smallest detectable difference between two stimuli, also known as the just noticeable difference (JND).
- Detection Threshold: Minimum stimulus intensity needed for perception.
- Threshold is probabilistic: defined as the stimulus intensity difference perceived 50% of the time.
- Methods of adjustment can be used to measure intensity.
Signal Detection Theory
- Signal refers to true sensory information from the external world.
- Noise is the physiological or psychological processes impacting our stimulus perception in an unpredictable way.
- Physiological noise is spontaneous sensory nerve activity.
- Psychological noise is spontaneous attention fluctuations that alter stimulus perception unpredictably.
- Signal and noise are statistical concepts.
Response Bias
- People with conservative bias withhold correct identifications unless perception is clear, leading to higher thresholds.
- Those with a liberal bias quickly perceive something, leading to lower thresholds.
- This does not mean that that they are more sensitive
- Liberal people may be more likely to wrongfully detect a sensory stimulus, when there is not one present.
Sensitivity (d') in Signal Detection Theory (SDT)
- Individual's capacity to differentiate between stimulus/signal and noise.
- Higher sensitivity indicates better discrimination.
Criterion
- Is the decision threshold set by an individual in SDT.
- It determines when they report a signal, reflecting their response bias.
- Expectations or consequences of false alarms and misses influence it.
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