Psychology Sensation and Perception

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the sensory receptors?

To convert sensory stimulation into neural impulses (correct)

To process sensory information in the occipital lobe

To detect and respond to multiple types of stimuli

To adapt to sensory overload from various inputs

What happens to sensory receptors over time with an unchanging stimulus?

They become less sensitive to the stimulus (correct)

They remain unchanged in their sensitivity

They become more sensitive to the stimulus

They begin to respond to other types of stimuli

Which part of the eye is responsible for controlling the amount of light that enters?

Lens

Retina

Cornea

Iris (correct)

Which of the following is NOT a role of the reticular formation?

Controlling eye movement in response to stimuli Signup and view all the answers

What does the Figure-Ground Principle refer to?

The separation of visual stimuli into background and object Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the term 'plasticity' in relation to perception?

The brain's ability to reorganize itself Signup and view all the answers

Which principle describes perceiving objects as belonging together when they are close in space or time?

Gestalt Principle of Proximity Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the pupil is correct?

It can dilate in response to both excitement and fear Signup and view all the answers

What type of depth perception relies on cues from both eyes?

Binocular Depth Cues Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines Size Constancy?

Seeing an object as the same size despite changes in retinal image Signup and view all the answers

What primarily allows individuals like Ben Underwood to perceive their surroundings through sound?

Use of auditory cues and echo-location Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of the eye is primarily responsible for bending light rays towards the pupil?

Cornea Signup and view all the answers

Which depth cue occurs when parallel lines appear to converge at a distance?

Linear Perspective Signup and view all the answers

Which principle would lead you to perceive a blank area surrounded by lines as a complete shape?

Closure Signup and view all the answers

Which type of depth cue would rely solely on information from one eye?

Monocular Depth Cues Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of convergence in depth perception?

It helps estimate distance by the inward turning of the eyes for nearby objects. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does relative size have on perception?

Larger objects are perceived as closer. Signup and view all the answers

What is atmospheric perspective primarily characterized by?

Bluish tint and blurriness of distant objects. Signup and view all the answers

What does motion parallax describe?

Close objects moving faster than distant ones as viewed from a moving vehicle. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the phi phenomenon?

Neon lights flashing that create an illusion of continuous movement. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes ambiguous figures from impossible figures?

Ambiguous figures can be perceived in multiple ways, whereas impossible figures cannot. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an illusion?

The Müller-Lyer illusion and Ponzo illusion. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of real motion?

Actual movement of objects through space. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the basilar membrane in the auditory system?

To house hair cells that act as sensory receptors for hearing Signup and view all the answers

What common factor do Müller-Lyer and Ponzo illusions share?

Both involve misleading depth cues that alter size perception. Signup and view all the answers

Which theory explains how we perceive high-frequency sounds?

Place Theory Signup and view all the answers

Which type of hearing loss is typically caused by damage to the eardrum or middle ear bones?

Conductive Hearing Loss Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the olfactory epithelium in the sense of smell?

To contain smell receptor cells that respond to chemicals Signup and view all the answers

How does the olfactory system differ from other senses in terms of processing in the brain?

It bypasses the thalamus and goes directly to the amygdala and other brain regions. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes pheromones?

Pheromones are chemicals that influence behavior patterns. Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of Frequency Theory regarding sound perception?

Neurons are incapable of firing more than 1,000 times per second. Signup and view all the answers

What are the first structures to register smell sensations in the brain?

Olfactory bulbs Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of the Müller-Lyer Illusion?

Length perception is influenced by the perceived distance of the lines. Signup and view all the answers

Which processing method relies on past experiences to shape perception?

Top-Down Processing Signup and view all the answers

What is inattentional blindness?

Failing to see changes in objects when not paying attention. Signup and view all the answers

How are circadian rhythms controlled?

By the brain. Signup and view all the answers

What can be described as a perceptual set?

The expectation based on prior knowledge affecting perceptions. Signup and view all the answers

What best represents bottom-up processing?

Assembling sensory stimuli into a coherent perception. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an altered state of consciousness?

Meditation leading to heightened awareness. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes both the Müller-Lyer and Ponzo illusions?

Both involve perceiving lines that are actually the same length as being different. Signup and view all the answers

What does generalization in classical conditioning enable an organism to do?

Develop a response to similar stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT influence classical conditioning?

Intensity of the CS. Signup and view all the answers

In the Little Albert Experiment, what did Albert learn to fear through generalization?

All stimuli resembling the white rat. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concept behind discrimination in classical conditioning?

Learning to respond to a specific CS while ignoring similar stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a cognitive perspective of classical conditioning?

CS enables prediction of US based on repeated pairings. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fear is an example of a response developed through classical conditioning?

Dental phobia caused by painful experiences at the dentist. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'biological predisposition' refer to in classical conditioning?

Genetic factors that make certain responses easier to acquire. Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about the relationship between the CS and US in successful classical conditioning?

CS must predict US with a high degree of reliability. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sensation

Sensation is the process in which sensory receptors detect stimuli like visual, auditory, and others.
This sensory information is then transmitted to the brain for perception.
Perception involves organizing and interpreting this sensory input.

Sensory Receptors

Exteroceptors receive information from the external world (our five senses).
Interoceptors receive information from the body's internal organs.
Proprioceptors detect the position of body parts in space.

Sensory Thresholds

Absolute Threshold: the minimum stimulus intensity needed to be detected 50% of the time.
Difference Threshold: the minimum difference needed to notice a change in a stimulus.

Weber's Law

The difference threshold is a constant proportion of the original stimulus.

Signal Detection Theory

Detecting a stimulus involves noticing it against background "noise" and deciding whether it's important.
Factors like motivation and experience influence our ability to detect stimuli.

Sensory Adaptation

Sensory adaptation is the decreased sensitivity to a constant stimulus over time.

Vision

Photons are tiny light particles.
The eye includes the cornea, iris, pupil, and lens, focusing light onto the retina.
The retina contains photoreceptor cells called rods (for dim light) and cones (for color).
Perception of color involves three types of cones, each sensitive to different wavelengths.
From retina to brain- light rays into neural impulses through bipolar cells, horizontal cells and ganglion cells— these bundle into nerves heading toward the brain and visual cortex.
The optic chiasm is where optic nerves cross, facilitating depth perception. The visual cortex is the region where the brain interprets visual information.

Hearing

Auditory canal carries sound to the eardrum.
Ossicles (hammer, anvil, stirrup) transmit vibrations from the eardrum to the cochlea.
Cochlea contains hair cells, the receptors converting vibrations into neural impulses.
The auditory nerve transmits these signals to the brain for interpretation.

Theories of Hearing

Place theory: different places on the basilar membrane respond to different frequencies.
Frequency theory: rate of neural firing corresponds to sound frequency.

Taste/Smell

Olfaction is the sense of smell.
Receptors in the nose detect airborne chemicals, converting them into neural signals.
A specialized area in the brain called the olfactory cortex processes this sensory data.
Sense of taste/Gustation, four basic tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter.
Taste buds, located in papillae on the tongue, detect these tastes.
The combined sensory experience of taste, touch, and smell is called flavor.

Touch

Tactile information is carried to the brain through nerve endings in the skin.
Travel through spinal cord to somatosensory cortex.
Chronic pain – pain beyond its purpose
Gate Control Theory: a "gate" in the spinal cord can block/control the transmission of pain signals to the brain.
Endorphins are natural pain killers.

Perception

Perception is the brain's interpretation of sensory information.
Gestalt principles organize sensory information into meaningful perceptual patterns, including figure-ground, proximity, similarity, continuity, and closure.
The brain compensates for differences in perspectives between the eyes through binocular depth cues, such as convergence and binocular disparity, and cues that rely on a single eye, monocular depth cues, such as linear perspective, relative size, texture gradient, atmospheric perspective, shadow, and motion parallax.
Through the use of these cues, perceived depth, judging size, shape, and color of objects is attained.

Sleep

Circadian rhythms are daily biological cycles.
Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN) is the brain's internal biological clock.
Ultradian rhythms are cycles shorter than 24 hours (including sleep stages).
Infradian rhythms are cycles longer than 24 hours, (e.g., menstrual cycle).
Sleep, NREM and REM. (Non-Rapid and Rapid eye movement).
Individual differences in sleep needs vary.
Sleep deprivation can cause various problems.

Consciousness

Consciousness is the state of awareness of oneself and one's surroundings.
Altered states include sleep, meditation, hypnosis, and drug-induced states.

Learning

Learning is a relatively permanent change in behavior, knowledge, or attitude due to experience.
Classical conditioning involves learning an association between two stimuli, one that evokes a response and a neutral stimulus that creates a conditioned response.
Operant conditioning involves learning by associating a behavior with its consequences.

Behaviour Modification

Behavior modification is a technique for changing behaviours using the principles of learning.
Reinforce desired responses and punish undesired ones.

Cognitive Learning

Cognitive learning involves mental processes like thinking, understanding, solving problems, and remembering.
Observational learning is acquiring new responses or strengthening/weakening existing responses by observing others.

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Description

Explore the fascinating concepts of sensation and perception in this psychology quiz. Learn about sensory receptors, sensory thresholds, Weber's Law, and Signal Detection Theory. Test your knowledge on how we detect and interpret stimuli in our environment.