Psychology Chapter 5 Flashcards

Vision and Perception

• Binocular disparity refers to the slight difference in images perceived by each eye, crucial for depth perception.
• Bottom-up processing involves perception that starts with sensory input; it builds understanding from individual elements.
• Perception is how sensory information is interpreted and consciously experienced, giving meaning to sensory stimuli.
• Sensation is the detection of stimuli by sensory receptors, which initiates the perception process.
• Just noticeable difference (JND) is the minimum difference in stimuli required to detect a change.
• Inattentional blindness occurs when individuals fail to notice an unexpected object in their visual field because their attention is focused elsewhere.
• Sensory adaptation describes the diminishing sensitivity to a constant stimulus over time.

Auditory and Other Sensory Processes

• Binaural cues aid in localizing sound using both ears, helping determine the direction of a sound source.
• Nociception is the sensory perception of pain, a critical component of the body's response to harmful stimuli.
• Thermoception refers to the perception of temperature and helps maintain body homeostasis.

Balance and Body Awareness

• Kinesthesia is the perception of the body's movement and position in space, enabling coordinated movements.
• Vestibular sense is essential for balance and maintaining posture, integrating information from inner ear structures.

Light and Color Perception

• Rods are photoreceptors sensitive to low light, allowing vision in dim environments.
• Cornea is the clear outer layer of the eye that helps focus light onto the retina.
• Pupil is the adjustable opening in the center of the eye that regulates light entry.
• Trichromatic theory and opponent process theory explain color perception through different mechanisms in the nervous system.

Wave Properties

• Crest and trough define the highest and lowest points of a wave, respectively, which are essential in understanding sound and light waves.

Deafness and Taste Perception

• Congenital deafness indicates hearing impairment present at birth, impacting early language development.
• Taste perception includes specific groups like umami and fat content, expanding traditional basic taste categories.

Gestalt Psychology

• Gestalt principles emphasize that perception involves holistic processing rather than merely the sum of sensory inputs.

Test your knowledge with these flashcards from Psychology Chapter 5! Each term includes a clear definition to help reinforce your understanding of key concepts, such as binocular disparity and kinesthesia. Perfect for students looking to solidify their learning in perceptual psychology.