Psychology Unit 4: Sensation and Perception

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Questions and Answers

What is sensation?

The process by which our sensory receptors and nervous system receive and represent stimulus energies from our environment.

What is perception?

The process of organizing and interpreting sensory information, enabling us to recognize meaningful objects and events.

What is bottom-up processing?

Analysis that begins with the sensory receptors and works up to the brain's integration of sensory information.

What is top-down processing?

Information processing guided by higher-level mental processes, as when we construct perceptions drawing on our experience and expectations. Signup and view all the answers

What is selective attention?

The focusing of conscious awareness on a particular stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference threshold (JND)?

The minimum difference between two stimuli required for detection 50 percent of the time. Signup and view all the answers

What is Weber's law?

The principle that, to be perceived as different, two stimuli must differ by a constant percentage rather than a constant amount. Signup and view all the answers

What is sensory adaptation?

Diminishing sensitivity to an unchanging stimulus because nerve cells fire less frequently. Signup and view all the answers

What does wavelength affect in terms of color?

Short wavelength equals bluish colors; long wavelength equals reddish colors. Signup and view all the answers

What does frequency affect in terms of sound?

High frequency results in high-pitched sounds, while low frequency results in low sounds. Signup and view all the answers

What does amplitude affect in terms of sound?

Great amplitude equals loud sound; small amplitude equals soft sounds. Signup and view all the answers

What is timbre?

The quality of a sound that derives from the wave's shape and complexity. Signup and view all the answers

What is kinesthesis?

The system for sensing the position and movement of individual body parts. Signup and view all the answers

What is the vestibular sense?

The sense of body movement and position, including the sense of balance. Signup and view all the answers

The process by which our sensory receptors and nervous system receive and represent stimulus energies from our environment is called ______.

sensation Signup and view all the answers

The process of organizing and interpreting sensory information is known as ______.

perception Signup and view all the answers

Analysis that begins with the sensory receptors is known as ______.

bottom-up processing Signup and view all the answers

Information processing guided by higher-level mental processes is referred to as ______.

top-down processing Signup and view all the answers

The focusing of conscious awareness on a particular stimulus is called ______.

selective attention Signup and view all the answers

The minimum difference between two stimuli for detection 50% of the time is called the ______.

difference threshold Signup and view all the answers

To be perceived as different, two stimuli must differ by a constant ______.

percentage Signup and view all the answers

Diminishing sensitivity to an unchanging stimulus is known as ______.

sensory adaptation Signup and view all the answers

A short wavelength results in ______ colors.

bluish Signup and view all the answers

High frequency results in ______ sounds.

high-pitched Signup and view all the answers

Great amplitude corresponds to ______ sound.

loud Signup and view all the answers

The quality of sound derived from wave shapes is called ______.

timbre Signup and view all the answers

The system that senses the position and movement of body parts is known as ______.

kinesthesis Signup and view all the answers

The sense of body movement and position, including balance is called ______.

vestibular sense Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sensation and Perception

Sensation is the process through which sensory receptors and the nervous system capture and represent environmental stimulus energies.
Perception involves organizing and interpreting sensory information to recognize meaningful objects and events.

Processing Types

Bottom-up processing starts with sensory receptors and builds up to the brain's integration of the information.
Top-down processing is guided by higher-level mental processes, using prior knowledge and expectations to influence perception.

Attention and Awareness

Selective attention refers to the focus of conscious awareness on a specific stimulus, enabling the tuning out of other distractions.

Thresholds and Differentiation

Difference threshold (Just Noticeable Difference - JND) is the minimum difference needed between two stimuli for detection 50% of the time.
Weber's Law states that two stimuli must differ by a constant percentage to be perceived as different.

Sensory Adaptation

Sensory adaptation occurs when there's diminishing sensitivity to a constant stimulus, as nerve cells fire less frequently over time.

Wavelength and Color Perception

Wavelength affects color perception: short wavelengths correspond to bluish colors, while long wavelengths correspond to reddish colors.

Sound Characteristics

Frequency determines pitch: high frequencies result in high-pitched sounds, whereas low frequencies correspond to low-pitched sounds.
Amplitude influences loudness: greater amplitude produces louder sounds, while smaller amplitude results in softer sounds.
Timbre refers to the quality of sound shaped by the complexity of sound waves, allowing differentiation between sound sources like instruments.

Body Senses

Kinesthesis is the awareness of the position and movement of individual body parts.
Vestibular sense relates to overall body movement and position, playing a crucial role in balance.

Interaction of Senses

Sensory interaction is the principle that one sense can affect another, enhancing the overall perception experience.

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Description

Explore the concepts of sensation and perception in psychology with this flashcard quiz. Learn key definitions and examples that illustrate how we process sensory information from our environment. Perfect for students studying Unit 4 in psychology classes.