Psychology Chapter Sensation and Perception

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the principle behind Signal Detection Theory?

Detection of stimuli is consistent across all individuals.

Stimuli are detected based on absolute thresholds.

Sensation thresholds are fixed and unchanging.

Detection depends on the difference between stimuli and background noise. (correct)

Which sensory system is primarily responsible for balance and position in space?

Vestibular System (correct)

Olfactory System

Auditory System

Kinesthetic Sense

How does the amplitude of sound waves affect our perception?

It determines the frequency of the sound.

It influences the loudness of the sound. (correct)

It has no effect on perception of sound.

It affects the quality or timbre of the sound.

What are monocular depth cues primarily used for?

To provide depth information using one eye's perspective. Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of perceptual set refer to?

A bias that influences how stimuli are interpreted based on past experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon describes the limited capacity of attention as seen in situations like the Cocktail Party Effect?

Selective Attention Signup and view all the answers

Which depth cue relies on the angle at which both eyes converge on an object?

Convergence Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of sound is primarily determined by the frequency of sound waves?

Pitch Signup and view all the answers

Which theory explains motion sickness as a conflict between sensory inputs from the vestibular system and other senses?

Sensory Conflict Theory Signup and view all the answers

What processing method is characterized by starting at the sensory data level and moving to higher cognitive levels?

Bottom-Up Processing Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'transduction' refer to in the context of sensation?

The conversion of physical energy into neural signals Signup and view all the answers

Which type of threshold refers to the minimum difference between two stimuli that a subject can detect?

Difference threshold Signup and view all the answers

What principle does Weber's Law illustrate regarding Just Noticeable Differences (JND)?

JND is a constant fraction of the original stimulus intensity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes psychophysics?

It investigates the relationship between physical stimuli and mental processes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sense organs is primarily responsible for detecting pressure?

Skin Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct description of the absolute threshold?

The minimum stimulation required for detection 50% of the time Signup and view all the answers

Which element is considered to be neither the stimulus nor the sensation itself, but instead contributes to perception?

The mind Signup and view all the answers

In psychophysics, what does the term 'physical stimuli' refer to?

Any energy forms that can be detected by sensors Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding perceptions?

Perceptions are personal interpretations of sensory input Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following options best lists the sensory modalities involved in sensation?

Vision, hearing, smell, taste, and touch Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sensation and Perception

Knowledge originates from perceptions.
Sensation involves detecting, converting, and transmitting raw sensory information to the brain from sense receptors.
Sense organs include eyes, ears, nose, tongue, skin, and internal organs.
Perception is the brain's assembly and combination of sensory input into meaningful patterns.
Perceptions are personal interpretations of reality.

Psychophysics

Studies the relationship between physical stimuli and the sensations they evoke.
Examples: brightness (light), volume (sound), weight (pressure), sweetness (taste).
Transduction converts physical energy (light waves, sound waves, pressure) into neural signals.

Sensation Thresholds

Absolute Threshold: The minimum stimulation needed to detect a stimulus 50% of the time.
Difference Threshold (JND): The minimum difference between two stimuli that a person can detect 50% of the time.
Weber's Law: The JND is a constant proportion of the original stimulus intensity, not a constant amount.

Signal Detection Theory

Predicts how and when we detect a stimulus (signal) amidst background noise.
No single absolute threshold exists; detection varies among and within individuals.

Somesthetic Senses

Vestibular Sense: Balance and body position in space (semicircular canals in the ear filled with fluid).
Kinesthetic Sense: Body position and movement of individual body parts.
Touch (Somatosensory): Pressure, warmth, cold, and pain.

Vestibular System and Motion Sickness

Motion sickness arises from conflicting sensory information; vestibular system sensations don't match eye and body sensations.

Audition (Hearing)

Transduction of air pressure waves (sound waves) into neural impulses.
Sound Waves: Oscillations of pressure that stimulate the hearing organs.
Amplitude: Perceived as loudness (height of the waves).
Frequency: Perceived as pitch (number of waves in a given time).
Sound Localization: Sounds are heard first and loudest by the nearest ear.

Factors Influencing Perception

Attention (selective vs. divided).
Organization (figure-ground).
Expectations (Perceptual Set).
Motivation.

Perceptual Attention

Selective Attention: Focusing on one stimulus.
Divided Attention: Splitting focus between tasks.
Cocktail Party Effect: Focusing on a conversation amongst other conversations.
Inattentional Blindness: Inability to perceive sensory stimuli due to limited attentional capacity.

Perceptual Constancies

Experience of constant perception despite changing retinal images.
Examples: Color, size, and shape constancy.

Depth Perception

Judging distance and seeing in three dimensions.
Monocular Depth Cues: Clues based on cues from one eye.
Examples: Linear perspective, relative size, relative height, interposition, texture gradient, light and shadow, accommodation.
Binocular Depth Cues: Clues based on differing views from two eyes.
Examples: Convergence, retinal disparity.

Perceptual Expectations (Perceptual Set)

Predisposition to perceive things a certain way based on past experiences, thoughts, and expectations.

Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up Processing

Top-down processing: Influenced by expectations and prior knowledge.
Bottom-up processing: Influenced by stimulus features.

Parallel Processing

Simultaneous processing of different stimuli.

Perceptual Adaptation

Adjustment to altered viewing fields.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the fascinating world of sensation and perception in this quiz. Discover how our sense organs detect stimuli, how our brain interprets sensory information, and the principles of psychophysics. Test your knowledge on thresholds and the laws governing our sensory experiences.