Psychology Chapter 6: Sensation and Perception

Questions and Answers

Detection of the sound of a bell ringing is referred to as a _. Once you interpret the stimulus as the sound of your alarm clock, it is referred to as a _.

sensation; perception

You would expect that your pupils would be smallest when you are:

Sitting on the beach on a very sunny day. (correct)

Navigating through a dark forest at night.

Watching TV in a dimly lit room.

Reading a book in a moderately lit room.

Vision and hearing are different:

Sensory receptors.

Sensory modalities. (correct)

Adequate stimuli.

Waves of energy.

Which of the following constitutes a false alarm in signal detection theory?

You turn off the radio to answer your phone, but the phone is not ringing. Signup and view all the answers

The study of how physical events, such as lights and sounds, affect our senses is called:

Psychophysics. Signup and view all the answers

The sensory receptors in your skin that are specialized to report information about changes in temperature are the:

Free nerve endings. Signup and view all the answers

A _______ is the region of space where stimuli affect the activity of a cell in a sensory system.

receptive field Signup and view all the answers

The main function of nociceptors is to sense:

Pain. Signup and view all the answers

In order for our visual system to work properly, the lens must focus light onto the:

Retina. Signup and view all the answers

The photoreceptors we need to appreciate a blue sky on a sunny day are the _, whereas the photoreceptors we use to detect the stars outside at night are the _.

Cones; rods. Signup and view all the answers

The reason that we have blind spots in our visual fields is that:

There are no photoreceptors on the optic disc. Signup and view all the answers

_______ cues to depth are dependent on information from both eyes.

Binocular. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the size cue for monocular depth perception?

While walking on the beach, you perceive that your friend is far away because he looks very small. Signup and view all the answers

The _______ theory of color vision is the idea that color vision is based on a system of paired opposites of color.

Opponent-process. Signup and view all the answers

Size constancy refers to:

Your perception that an object remains the same size, even as you get closer or farther away. Signup and view all the answers

You attend a lecture in which the speaker explains how vision organizes images. This is most likely a lecture about:

Gestalt psychology. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sensation and Perception Key Concepts

Sensation vs. Perception: Sensation is the detection of stimuli; perception is the interpretation of those stimuli (e.g., recognizing an alarm sound).
Pupil Size: Pupils are smallest on sunny days due to intense light exposure.
Sensory Modalities: Different senses like vision and hearing function via distinct sensory modalities.
Signal Detection Theory: A false alarm occurs when one anticipates a stimulus that isn’t present (e.g., turning off radio thinking phone is ringing).

Psychophysics and Sensory Receptors

Psychophysics: The study of how physical stimuli influence sensory experience and perception.
Temperature Sensation: Specialized sensory receptors in the skin, called free nerve endings, report temperature changes.

Receptive Fields and Pain Detection

Receptive Field: The area where stimuli can influence the activity of sensory cells.
Nociceptors: These sensory receptors are primarily responsible for sensing pain.

Visual System Mechanics

Lens Focusing: The lens of the eye focuses light onto the retina for proper visual perception.
Photoreceptors: Cones are responsible for detecting color during daylight; rods are crucial for seeing in low light conditions.
Blind Spots: Occur due to the absence of photoreceptors on the optic disc.

Depth Perception

Binocular Cues: Depth perception that relies on visual information from both eyes.
Monocular Size Cue: Reveals depth by size perception; an object appears smaller when farther away (e.g., a distant friend looks small).

Color Vision Theories

Opponent-Process Theory: Proposes color perception is based on opposing color pairs.

Size Constancy

Size Constancy: The ability to perceive an object as maintaining the same size despite changing distances.

Gestalt Psychology

Gestalt Principles: Focus on how visual organization and perception of images occur; related topics often discussed in vision-related psychology lectures.

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Description

Test your knowledge of sensation and perception concepts with these flashcards from Chapter 6 of your psychology course. Covering essential terms and definitions, this quiz will help reinforce your understanding of how we detect and interpret stimuli. Perfect for students preparing for exams or seeking a deeper grasp of psychological principles.

Psychology Chapter 6: Sensation and Perception

Questions and Answers

Detection of the sound of a bell ringing is referred to as a _. Once you interpret the stimulus as the sound of your alarm clock, it is referred to as a _.