Sensation and Perception Key Concepts
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Questions and Answers

What does the absolute threshold represent in sensory psychology?

  • The maximum amount of stimulation that can be detected
  • The average level of sensory input required for perception
  • The constant range of stimulus intensity that triggers a response
  • The minimum amount of stimulation that can be detected half the time (correct)

Which of the following best describes the difference between sensation and perception?

  • Sensation refers to the recognition of stimuli, while perception is about detection
  • Sensation is context-dependent, while perception is role-dependent
  • Sensation involves interpreting sensory input while perception involves detecting it
  • Sensation is a bottom-up process, whereas perception is a top-down process (correct)

Which theory of color vision emphasizes the role of opposing colors?

  • Subtractive color mixing theory
  • Opponent-process theory (correct)
  • Additive color mixing theory
  • Trichromatic theory

What is the significance of the just noticeable difference (JND) in sensory perception?

<p>It refers to the smallest magnitude of change that can be detected (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of auditory perception, which of the following theories explains how we perceive pitch?

<p>Place theory and frequency theory (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which perceptual theory focuses on how sensory information is organized and interpreted into meaningful patterns?

<p>Gestalt psychology (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does sensory adaptation play in perception?

<p>It leads to a decrease in sensitivity to constant stimulation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the just noticeable difference (JND) refer to?

<p>The smallest difference between two stimuli needed to detect a change half the time (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Weber's Law, the size of the just noticeable difference is determined by what?

<p>A constant proportion of the initial stimulus (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes the signal-detection theory?

<p>Detection involves both psychological and sensory processes. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the possible responses in signal-detection theory when a signal is present?

<p>Hits and false alarms (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the phenomenon of registering sensory input without conscious awareness?

<p>Subliminal perception (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of subliminal perception based on current understanding?

<p>Its effects are generally weak with little practical concern. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does sensory adaptation entail?

<p>A gradual decline in sensitivity due to prolonged stimulation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In relation to the just noticeable difference, how might a 50 cent discount be perceived differently based on the context of the purchase?

<p>It is more likely to be noticed for cheaper items than for expensive ones. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Weber's Law apply to different senses?

<p>Different senses have different fractions based on the type of sensory input (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect does the dilation of the pupil have on image clarity?

<p>It allows more light in but results in a less sharp image. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do rods play in vision?

<p>They function primarily in low-light conditions and peripheral vision. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during the process of dark adaptation?

<p>Rods adapt faster than cones to low light conditions. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the eye primarily focuses light onto the retina?

<p>Cornea (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the fovea in the human eye?

<p>It allows for the highest visual acuity and contains only cones. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the amplitude of light waves affect perception?

<p>It affects the perception of brightness. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of the optic disk in the retina?

<p>It creates a blind spot in the visual field. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The iris regulates the amount of light entering the eye by controlling which structure?

<p>Pupil (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of cones in the retina?

<p>To provide color vision in well-lit conditions. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to light sensitivity during light adaptation?

<p>The eyes reduce their sensitivity to light in high illumination. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is associated with the trichromatic theory of colour vision?

<p>The human eye has receptors sensitive to three primary colours. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In opponent process theories, which of the following colour pairs represents antagonistic responses?

<p>Red vs. Green (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What defines a reversible figure in perception?

<p>A visual representation that can show two different interpretations. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does a perceptual set primarily influence?

<p>It creates a predisposition to perceive stimuli in a specific manner. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What outcome is most closely associated with the concept of an afterimage?

<p>The perceived image will be the complementary colour of the original stimulus. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the ventral stream in vision?

<p>Identifying object shapes and colors (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the receptive field of a visual cell?

<p>The retinal area stimulating the cell's firing (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements regarding additive color mixing is true?

<p>It combines lights of different colors to create more light. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of color mixing is exemplified by mixing yellow and blue paints to create green?

<p>Subtractive color mixing (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do feature detectors play in visual perception?

<p>They respond selectively to specific aspects of stimuli. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main outcome of the dorsal stream's processing in the visual system?

<p>Awareness of object motion and spatial relationships (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many rods and cones are involved in visual processing before the information converges in the optic nerve?

<p>100 million rods and 1 million cones (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of vision for action?

<p>To guide physical interactions with objects (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of visual information is primarily processed by the primary visual cortex?

<p>Complex visual data and its features (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the difference between the concepts of 'vision for perception' and 'vision for action'?

<p>Vision for action controls interactions, whereas vision for perception creates representations. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Sensation

The process of detecting sensory stimulation; a bottom-up process where our senses gather information from the environment.

Perception

The process of organizing and interpreting sensory input, converting it into something meaningful; a top-down process.

Absolute Threshold

The minimum amount of stimulation needed to detect a stimulus half of the time.

Just Noticeable Difference (JND)

The minimum difference between two stimuli that a person can detect half the time.

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Signal Detection Theory

A theory explaining how we detect stimuli, taking into account not just the strength of the stimulus but also our psychological state, experience, and expectations.

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Bottom-up Processing

Information processing starting from sensory input and building up to higher-order mental processing.

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Top-down Processing

Information processing guided by higher-level mental processes, expectations, and prior knowledge.

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Weber's Law

The size of the JND is a constant proportion of the initial stimulus.

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Hits

Correctly detecting a present signal.

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Misses

Failing to detect a present signal.

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False Alarms

Detecting a signal when it wasn't there.

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Correct Rejections

Not detecting a signal when it wasn't present.

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Subliminal Perception

Sensory input registered without conscious awareness.

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Sensory Adaptation

Reduced sensitivity to prolonged stimulation.

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Accommodation

The process where the lens of the eye changes shape to focus on objects at different distances.

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Pupil

The opening in the center of the iris that adjusts the amount of light entering the eye.

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Retina

The light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye that processes images.

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Cones

Photoreceptor cells in the retina that are responsible for colour vision.

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Fovea

The central part of the retina, containing mostly cones, where vision is sharpest.

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Blind spot

The area on the retina where the optic nerve leaves the eye, creating a gap in vision.

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Dark adaptation

The process where the eyes adjust to low light conditions, increasing sensitivity.

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Light adaptation

The process where the eyes adjust to bright light conditions, decreasing sensitivity.

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Wavelength

Distance between peaks (or troughs) of a light wave, determining the color humans perceive.

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Trichromatic Theory

Suggests our eyes have three types of color receptors, each sensitive to red, green, or blue. This combination allows us to perceive the full spectrum of colors.

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Opponent Process Theory

Explains color perception based on opposing pairs of colors, like red/green, yellow/blue, and black/white. These pairs work antagonistically, meaning when one is stimulated, the other is inhibited.

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Color Blindness

A deficiency in the ability to distinguish colors, often caused by missing or malfunctioning color receptor cells in the eye.

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Complementary Colors

Pairs of colors that, when mixed together, produce a neutral gray tone.

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Afterimage

A visual sensation that persists even after the original stimulus is removed, often appearing in the complementary color.

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Receptive Field

The specific area on the retina that, when stimulated, affects the firing of a visual cell. This area represents the visual information the cell processes.

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Convergence in Vision

The process where information from multiple photoreceptor cells (rods and cones) converges onto a single neuron in the optic nerve. This reduces the amount of information transmitted to the brain.

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Vision for Perception

The process of using visual information to create an internal representation of the world, allowing us to understand and interpret what we see.

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Vision for Action

The process using visual information specifically to guide and control our movements and interactions with the world.

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Feature Detectors

Specialized neurons in the brain that respond selectively to particular features of visual stimuli, such as shape, angle, movement, color, and even faces.

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Ventral Stream

The pathway in the visual cortex responsible for processing the 'what' of visual information, such as form, color, and object recognition.

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Dorsal Stream

The pathway in the visual cortex responsible for processing the 'where' and 'how' of visual information, including spatial location, motion, and guiding actions.

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Subtractive Colour Mixing

Mixing colors by removing wavelengths of light, resulting in a darker, less vibrant hue. This is how pigments like paint work.

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Additive Colour Mixing

Mixing colors by adding light sources together, leading to a brighter, more vibrant hue. This is how light sources like screen displays work.

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Study Notes

Sensation and Perception - Key Concepts and Terms

  • Sensation: The stimulation of sense organs (e.g., eyes, ears).
  • Perception: The interpretation of sensory input.
  • Absolute Threshold: The minimum amount of stimulation needed to detect a stimulus half of the time.
  • Just Noticeable Difference (JND): The smallest difference between two stimuli that can be detected.
  • Weber's Law: The size of the JND is a constant proportion of the size of the initial stimulus.
  • Signal-Detection Theory: Detection of stimuli involves decision processes as well as sensory processes. Factors like criteria and expectations influence detectability.
  • Subliminal Perception: The registration of sensory input without conscious awareness.
  • Sensory Adaptation: The gradual decline in sensitivity due to prolonged stimulation.
  • Variations in light: Characteristics like amplitude, wavelength, and purity of light affect perception.
  • Parts of the human eye: Includes the lens, pupil, retina, rods, cones, etc.
  • Light and dark adaptation: The eye's adjustment to changes in light levels.
  • Receptive field: Area of the retina that, when stimulated, affects the firing of a visual cell.
  • Vision for perception and action: Brain areas involved in both perception and action.
  • Additive and subtractive colour mixing: Additive mixing involves combining lights, while subtractive mixing involves removing wavelengths.
  • Trichromatic vs. opponent process theories of colour vision: Different theories explain how we perceive colour.
  • Reversible figure and perceptual set: Some images can be perceived in multiple ways, and our expectations influence our perception.
  • Bottom-up vs. top-down perception: Bottom-up processing starts with sensory input, and top-down processing involves higher-level knowledge.
  • Gestalt principles (phi phenomenon, proximity, closure): Principles that describe how we group and organize visual elements.
  • Perceptual hypothesis: Our brain makes educated guesses about the nature of the stimuli we receive.
  • Monocular vs. binocular cues: Visual cues for depth and distance that use one eye or both eyes.
  • Parts of the human ear: Includes the cochlea, basilar membrane, place and frequency theories of hearing.

Parts of the Human Eye

  • Cornea: Transparent "window" at the front of the eye.
  • Lens: Focuses light onto the retina.
  • Iris: Controls the size of the pupil.
  • Pupil: Opening in the center of the iris that lets light in.
  • Retina: Neural tissue lining the back of the eye.
  • Rods: Specialized visual receptors for night and peripheral vision.
  • Cones: Specialized visual receptors for daytime and color vision, concentrated in the fovea.
  • Fovea: Tiny spot in the center of the retina, responsible for sharpest vision.
  • Optic nerve: Carries information from the retina to the brain.

Parts of the Human Ear

  • Pinna: The external ear (ear flap).
  • Auditory Canal: Passage leading to the eardrum.
  • Eardrum: Membrane vibrated by sound waves.
  • Ossicles (Hammer, Anvil, Stirrup): Tiny bones that transmit vibrations to the inner ear.
  • Oval Window: Membrane vibrating by sound waves.
  • Cochlea: A fluid-filled spiral shaped tunnel in the inner ear.
  • Basilar Membrane: Membrane running along the cochlea with tiny hairs (hair cells).

Place vs. Frequency Theories of Hearing

  • Place Theory: Pitch perception depends on the location of vibrations along the basilar membrane.
  • Frequency Theory: Pitch perception depends on the rate at which the entire basilar membrane vibrates.

Other Sensory Systems

  • Visual system: Light, wavelength, amplitude, etc.
  • Auditory system: Sound waves, frequency, etc.
  • Gustatory (taste) system: Chemicals dissolved in saliva.
  • Olfactory (smell) system: Airborne chemicals.
  • Tactile (touch) system: Pressure, temperature.

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Description

This quiz covers essential concepts and terminology related to sensation and perception, including absolute thresholds, signal-detection theory, and Weber's law. Test your understanding of how we interpret sensory input and the factors that influence our perceptual experiences.

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