Psychology Chapter 5 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is sensation?

Processing of sensory signals

Detection of external stimuli and transmission of this information to the brain (correct)

The experience of hearing

None of the above

What is perception?

Processing, organization, and interpretation of sensory signals.

What is bottom-up processing?

Perception based on the physical features of stimuli.

What is top-down processing?

How knowledge, expectations, or past experiences shape the interpretation of sensory information. Signup and view all the answers

What is sensory coding?

Sensory receptors translate physical properties of stimuli into patterns of neural impulses. Signup and view all the answers

What is transduction?

Process by which sensory stimuli are converted to signals the brain can interpret. Signup and view all the answers

What does psychophysics study?

Quantities our psychological experiences of physical stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

What is the absolute threshold?

Minimum intensity of stimulation that must occur before you experience a sensation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference threshold?

Minimum amount of change required for a person to detect a difference between two stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

What does Weber's Law state?

The just noticeable difference between two stimuli is based on a proportion of the original stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is signal detection theory?

Studying choice behavior in terms of sensitivity and bias. Signup and view all the answers

What is sensory adaptation?

A decrease in sensitivity to a constant level of stimulation. Signup and view all the answers

Do ESP (extrasensory perception) abilities exist?

Many reports are supported only by anecdotes; there is not valid evidence. Signup and view all the answers

What is the pathway of light through the eye?

Cornea -> Pupil -> Iris -> Lens -> Retina. Signup and view all the answers

What is the retina?

The thin inner surface at the back of the eyeball that contains sensory receptors. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of receptor cells in the retina?

Rods and cones. Signup and view all the answers

What is the fovea?

The center of the retina where cones are densely packed. Signup and view all the answers

What is the dorsal stream specialized for?

Spatial perception (determining where an object is). Signup and view all the answers

What does trichromatic theory explain?

Activity in three different types of cones that are sensitive to different wavelengths. Signup and view all the answers

What is the opponent-process theory?

Different types of ganglion cells create the perception that red & green are opposites. Signup and view all the answers

What are the rules of Gestalt perceptual grouping?

Proximity, similarity, continuity, closure, and illusory contours. Signup and view all the answers

What is binocular disparity?

A depth cue because of the distance between the two eyes, each eye receives a slightly different retinal image. Signup and view all the answers

What is the hearing pathway?

Sound waves -> Outer ear -> Ear drum -> Cochlea -> Auditory nerve -> Thalamus -> Auditory cortex. Signup and view all the answers

What are the five basic taste sensations?

Sweet, sour, salty, bitter, unami. Signup and view all the answers

What are pheromones?

Chemicals by animals that trigger physiological or behavioral reactions in other animals. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of audition?

Hearing; the sense of sound perception. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sensation and Perception Overview

Sensation: The process of detecting external stimuli and transmitting this information to the brain.
Perception: Involves the processing, organization, and interpretation of sensory signals.

Processing Types

Bottom-up Processing: Perception relies on the physical features of stimuli.
Top-down Processing: Perception influenced by prior knowledge and expectations.

Sensory Mechanisms

Sensory Coding: How sensory receptors convert physical properties of stimuli into neural impulse patterns.
Transduction: Conversion of sensory stimuli to signals interpretable by the brain.

Psychophysics

Psychophysics: Examines the relationship between physical stimuli and psychological experiences.

Thresholds

Absolute Threshold: The minimum intensity needed to detect a sensation.
Difference Threshold: The smallest change needed to notice a difference between two stimuli.
Weber's Law: The just noticeable difference is proportional to the original stimulus rather than a fixed amount.

Signal Detection Theory

Signal Detection Theory: Analyzes decision-making based on stimulus presence, including sensitivity and bias in perceptions.

Sensory Adaptation

Sensory Adaptation: Diminished sensitivity to constant stimulation over time.

Eye Structure and Function

Light Pathway: Light travels through the cornea, pupil, iris, lens, and reaches the retina.
Retina: Contains sensory receptors (rods for low light; cones for color perception) that transduce light into neural signals.

Visual Processing

Ventral Stream: Responsible for object recognition ("what").
Dorsal Stream: Handles spatial perception ("where").

Color Vision Theories

Trichromatic Theory: Suggests three types of cones sensitive to different wavelengths (blue-violet, yellow-green, red-orange).
Opponent-Process Theory: Proposes ganglion cells work in opposing pairs (red-green and blue-yellow) to create color perception.

Gestalt Principles of Perception

Proximity: Grouping figures based on closeness.
Similarity: Grouping figures that resemble each other.
Continuity: Preferring continuous forms; good continuation.
Closure: Completing figures with gaps.
Illusory Contours: Perceiving depth cues without existing contours.

Depth Perception Cues

Binocular Depth Cues: Require both eyes (e.g., binocular disparity).
Monocular Depth Cues: Available to each eye alone (e.g., occlusion, relative size).
Pictorial Depth Cues: Influence perceived depth from one eye's perspective.

Object Constancies

Size Constancy: Understanding an object's size based on distance.
Shape Constancy: Recognizing shapes from different angles.
Color Constancy: Correctly perceiving colors under varying lighting.
Lightness Constancy: Judging lightness based on light reflection relative to surroundings.

Auditory Perception

Audition: The process of hearing sound.
Sound Wave Characteristics: Amplitude determines loudness; frequency (20-20,000 Hz) determines pitch.
Hearing Pathway: Sound travels from outer ear to auditory cortex through a series of structures.

Taste and Smell

Gustation: Sense of taste with five basic sensations (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, umami).
Olfaction: Sense of smell; involves chemical receptors in the nasal cavity and the olfactory bulb.

Touch and Pain

Haptic Sense: Encompasses temperature, pressure, and pain sensation.
Kinesthetic Sense: Awareness of body positions and movements.
Pain Types: Fast fibers for sharp pain; slow fibers for dull pain.

Pain Management

Gate Control Theory: Interaction of biological, psychological, and cultural factors in pain perception.
Pain Control Methods: Drug treatments, cognitive strategies, and understanding the impact of attention on pain.

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Description

Test your understanding of sensation and perception with these flashcards. This quiz covers key terms such as sensation, perception, bottom-up processing, and top-down processing. Perfect for reinforcing concepts from Psychology Chapter 5.