Sensation and Perception Overview
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Questions and Answers

What is measured in decibels (dB)?

  • Pitch of sound
  • Loudness of sound (correct)
  • Timbre of sound
  • Frequency of sound

Which part of the ear is responsible for funneling sound?

  • Cochlea
  • Eardrum
  • Pinna (correct)
  • Auditory canal

What is the frequency range that humans can typically hear?

  • 100 – 10,000 Hz
  • 10 – 50,000 Hz
  • 16 – 20,000 Hz (correct)
  • 0 – 1000 Hz

What defines the quality of sound in relation to its waveform complexity?

<p>Timbre (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the ear does not play a role in the transmission of sound vibrations?

<p>Pinna (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Weber's Law state about stimulus perception?

<p>Two stimuli must differ by a constant minimum percentage to be perceived as different. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the smallest difference a person can reliably detect?

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

In the context of measuring senses, what does 'absolute threshold' refer to?

<p>How sensitive a sense is in detecting a signal 50% of the time. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an example of psychophysics?

<p>Assessing taste preferences based on geographical location. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Weber's Law, what percentage must light intensity differ for perception?

<p>8% (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of stimuli is described as being sensed unconsciously?

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

What aspect of Signal Detection Theory emphasizes the observer's response?

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

What does the just noticeable difference (jnd) depend on, according to Weber's Fraction?

<p>The constant minimum percentage of the stimulus. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of correct detections corresponds to the threshold for subliminal stimuli?

<p>50% (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of sensory receptors in relation to sensation?

<p>Detecting and responding to physical energy (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does bottom-up processing differ from top-down processing?

<p>Bottom-up processing begins with sense receptors and goes to the brain. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the doctrine of specific nerve energies explain?

<p>Different sense modalities arise from different types of stimuli. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a sense that possesses its own sensory organ?

<p>Emotion (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do synapses play in vision, hearing, and taste?

<p>They separate sensory receptors from sensory neurons. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The process by which the brain organizes and interprets sensory information is known as:

<p>Perception (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of processing is guided primarily by prior knowledge and experiences?

<p>Top-Down Processing (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the phenomenon called when sensation fades in response to unchanged or repetitious stimuli?

<p>Sensory adaptation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Within which range of wavelengths does visible light fall?

<p>400-700 nm (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean when a person is described as myopic?

<p>The person has difficulty seeing distant objects clearly. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the eye is responsible for changing size to control light entry?

<p>Iris (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the lens in the eye?

<p>To change shape and focus images on the retina (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly relates wavelength and frequency in the context of light?

<p>A short wavelength corresponds with a high frequency. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of light does a person with hyperopia clearly perceive?

<p>Distant objects (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which structure of the eye is primarily made of transparent tissue that initially refracts light?

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

What does the process of accommodation refer to in vision?

<p>The lens changing shape to focus on objects (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a physical property associated with waves?

<p>Clarity (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the retinal image before it reaches perception?

<p>The image is inverted and interpreted as right-side up. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which cells are responsible for the first level of color processing?

<p>Cone cells (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What describes the function of feature detectors in visual processing?

<p>They respond to specific aspects such as shape and movement. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which theory explains the mechanism of color perception involving pairs of colors?

<p>Opponent Process Theory (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where are the cones predominantly located in the eye?

<p>Fovea (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does color constancy allow us to perceive?

<p>An object's color as stable despite changing illumination. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the second stage of visual processing after cones, involving ganglion cells and the thalamus?

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

Which type of vision is primarily associated with rods?

<p>Night vision in low light (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of sensory adaptation in vision?

<p>Decreased responsiveness to unchanged stimuli. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why might individuals with red-green deficiency struggle visually?

<p>They have trouble identifying colors within designs. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Chemical messages that communicate reproductive status between species members are known as ________.

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

Which taste profile is specifically linked to the presence of monosodium glutamate?

<p>umami (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of sensory receptors primarily responds to temperature and pain?

<p>free nerve endings (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What system in the human body is crucial for maintaining balance and body posture?

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

Which principle states that objects close to one another tend to be perceived as a group?

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

What term describes the minimum amount of stimulus energy required to be detected 50% of the time?

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

Our tendency to view forms as complete wholes rather than a collection of parts is referred to as the principle of ________.

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

Decreased sensitivity to an unchanging stimulus is known as what?

<p>sensory adaptation (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The law that leads us to perceive smooth and flowing lines instead of jagged ones is known as ________.

<p>continuity (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus point in a visual display called?

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

Which process involves the conversion of sensory stimulus energy into neural impulses?

<p>transduction (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the conscious experience and interpretation of sensory information?

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

Which concept explains the phenomenon where an observer is influenced by their previous knowledge and experiences while perceiving stimuli?

<p>top-down processing (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of sensory adaptation?

<p>immediate response to stimuli (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

As we move from short wavelengths to long wavelengths, the correct order of color perception is?

<p>blue to green to yellow (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which range does the visible spectrum of light typically cover?

<p>400–700 nm (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of hearing loss might be treated effectively with hearing aids?

<p>conductive hearing loss (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What quality of sound is influenced by frequency, amplitude, and the timing of a sound wave?

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

Which small indentation in the retina contains cones and is crucial for high acuity vision?

<p>fovea (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for depth cues that require the usage of both eyes?

<p>binocular cues (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Sensation

The detection of physical energy from objects, stimulating sense receptors.

Perception

Brain's organization and interpretation of sensory information.

Bottom-Up Processing

Sensory information from the receptors to the brain.

Top-Down Processing

Brain's interpretation of sensory input based on experience.

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Sense Receptors

Specialized cells that detect and respond to physical energy.

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Sense Modalities

Different types of senses, like vision, hearing, and touch, with distinct pathways in the nervous system.

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Doctrine of Specific Nerve Energies

Different senses arise from different neural pathways to the brain.

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Psychophysics

The study of the relationship between physical characteristics of stimuli and our psychological experience of them.

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Absolute Threshold

The minimum intensity of a stimulus needed for detection 50% of the time.

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Difference Threshold (jnd)

The smallest difference between two stimuli that a person can reliably detect.

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Weber's Law

For two stimuli to be perceived as different, they must differ by a constant minimum percentage, not a constant amount.

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Weber's Fraction

The formula to calculate the difference threshold (JND) , where the difference threshold is (DI) and the standard stimulus is (I), while c is a constant percentage.

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Subliminal stimuli

Stimuli below one's absolute threshold, often not consciously perceived or registered.

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Signal Detection Theory

Separates the detection task into sensory processes (stimulus intensity) and decision processes (observer’s response bias).

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Absolute & JND Measurements

Measures of how sensitive our senses are and the smallest detectable difference between stimuli. Affected by bias, mood, and alertness.

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Sensory Adaptation

Sensation fades if stimuli remain unchanged or repetitive.

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Visible Spectrum

The small portion of electromagnetic energy humans can see.

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Electromagnetic Spectrum

A range of energy that includes visible light.

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Wavelength (light)

The distance between wave peaks; influences the hue (color) in light.

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Wave Amplitude

The height of a wave; influences brightness in light and loudness in sound.

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Cornea

Transparent tissue through which light enters the eye.

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Iris

Colored muscle that controls pupil size, adjusting light entering the eye.

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Lens

Focuses light rays onto the retina.

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Accommodation

The eye's lens adjusting shape to focus on near or far objects.

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Myopia

Nearsightedness; near objects seen clearly but far objects are blurry.

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Stroop Effect

The interference experienced when trying to name the color of ink used to write a color word that is a different color, for example, the word "blue" written in red ink. This demonstrates the conflict between automatic and controlled processing.

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Auditory Threshold

The minimum intensity of sound that a person can hear. This threshold is typically measured in decibels (dB).

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Sound Properties

Key characteristics of sound waves that determine how we perceive them.

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Loudness

How strong a sound is perceived. It's directly related to the intensity of the sound wave's pressure. Higher pressure means louder sound. Measured in decibels (dB).

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Pitch

How high or low a sound is perceived. It's determined by the frequency of the sound wave. Higher frequency means higher pitch. Measured in Hertz (Hz).

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Retinal Image

The image projected onto the retina is upside down, but the brain interprets it as right-side up.

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What are rods and cones?

Rods and cones are photoreceptor cells in the retina that are responsible for vision. Rods detect light and dark, while cones detect color.

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How does the retina work?

The retina's layers are arranged 'inside-out'. Light passes through ganglion and bipolar cells before reaching rods and cones. Signals travel back through the layers to the optic nerve.

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Where are cones concentrated?

Cones are concentrated in the fovea, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision.

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Feature Detectors

Specialized nerve cells in the brain that respond to specific features in visual information, such as shape, angle, or movement.

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Parallel Processing

The brain simultaneously processes different aspects of visual information, like color, shape, and movement, enabling efficient analysis.

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Illusory Contours

Our brains create a perception of edges and shapes where none actually exist, based on the surrounding visual information.

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Trichromatic Theory

The first stage of color perception. It suggests that 3 types of cones (blue, green, red) are responsible for detecting different wavelengths of light.

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Opponent Process Theory

The second stage of color perception. Cells in the brain respond to pairs of opponent colors (e.g., red-green, blue-yellow), enhancing contrast and perception.

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Difference Threshold

The smallest detectable difference between two stimuli.

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Transduction

The conversion of physical energy from stimuli into neural impulses.

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Timbre

The unique quality of a sound, influenced by the complexity of its sound wave.

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Monocular

Vision using only one eye.

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Binaural

Hearing using both ears.

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Pheromones

Chemical signals released by an animal that affect other animals of the same species, often related to reproduction.

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Umami

A savory taste often associated with monosodium glutamate.

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Free nerve endings

Sensory receptors for temperature and pain stimuli.

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Vestibular system

Body system responsible for maintaining balance and body posture.

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Proximity

The principle that elements close to each other are perceived as a group.

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Closure

The principle that we perceive incomplete objects as complete.

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Good continuation

The principle that we tend to perceive smoothly flowing lines rather than choppy or jagged lines.

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Study Notes

Sensation and Perception

  • Sensation involves detecting physical energy from the environment or the body, stimulating receptors in the sense organs.
  • Perception is the process where the brain organizes and interprets sensory information.
  • The image used in page 1 of the slides shows the concept of perception. While there are multiple faces, there is only one image
  • Sensation and perception are distinct processes
  • The different types of senses in the auditory, visual, smell, pressure, pain, taste and touch senses.
  • The sensory receptors for each sense are specialized cells.
  • Each sense has its own sense organ and sensory receptors
  • Smell, pressure, pain and temperature.
  • Receptors are extensions of sensory neurons.
  • Vision, hearing and taste.
  • Specific receptors are specialized cells and are separated from sensory neurons by synaptic regions.
  • Various stimuli are converted to electrical impulses (neural-action potential).
  • Nervous system encodes messages
  • The doctrine of specific nerve energies means different sensory modalities exist as different nerve pathways are stimulated.

Sensation- Basic Principles

  • Psychophysics is the study of relationships from physical characteristics of stimuli to our psychological experience of them.
  • Examples of basic principles:
    • Light-brightness
    • Sound- volume
    • Pressure- weight
    • Taste- sweetness

Measuring the Senses

  • Absolute Thresholds: The minimum stimulation needed to detect a stimulus 50% of the time.
  • Difference Thresholds: The minimum difference between two stimuli that a person can reliably detect. Also known as Just Noticeable Difference (JND).

Weber's Law

  • Weber's Law states that two stimuli must differ by a constant minimum percentage (rather than a constant amount) to be perceived as different.

Sensation- Thresholds

  • Weber's Law: to be perceived as different, two stimuli must differ by a constant minimum percentage (rather than a constant amount)
  • Light intensity - 8%
  • Weight - 2%
  • Tone frequency -0.3%

Signal Detection Theory

  • Signal detection theory explains that detecting a stimulus involves both sensory processes (stimulus intensity) and decision processes (observer's response bias)

Sensation- Subliminal

  • Subliminal stimuli are below one's absolute threshold for conscious awareness

Sensory Adaptation

  • Sensation fades if stimuli remain unchanged or repetitive.

Vision

  • The visible spectrum is a small portion of the electromagnetic spectrum (400-700 nm).
  • The eye has various parts including the cornea, pupil, iris, lens, and retina.
  • Accommodation is the process where the eye's lens changes shape to focus near or far objects on the retina.
  • Myopia (nearsightedness) is when near objects are seen clearly, while far objects are not.
  • Hyperopia (farsightedness) is when far objects are seen clearly, while near objects are not.

Retinal Image

  • The image projected onto the retina is upside down, but the brain interprets it upright.

Rods and Cones

  • Rods are receptors for black and white vision, and are located outside the fovea (center of the retina).
  • Cones are receptors for color vision, and are concentrated in the fovea.

Visual Information Processing

  • Feature detectors are nerve cells in the brain that respond to specific features, like shape, angle, or movement.
  • Parallel processing is the simultaneous processing of several aspects of a visual stimulus.

Illusory Contours

  • Illusory contours are perceived edges or shapes that are not actually present in the stimulus.

Sound

  • Properties of sound include: loudness (intensity), pitch (frequency), and timbre (complexity/quality).
  • Loudness is related to the intensity of the wave, which is measured in decibels (dB).
  • Pitch is related to the frequency of the wave, which is measured in Hertz (Hz).
  • Timbre is related to the complexity of the wave.

Anatomy of the Ear

  • The outer ear (pinna and ear canal) funnels sounds to the eardrum.
  • The middle ear (hammer, anvil, stirrup) amplifies vibrations of sound.
  • The inner ear (cochlea) contains the receptor cells (hair cells) that transduce sound vibrations into neural impulses sent to the brain.
  • Different frequencies stimulate receptors at different points in the cochlea.

Perceiving Pitch

  • Place theory proposes that pitch is determined by the location of the stimulated hair cells on the basilar membrane in the cochlea.
  • Frequency theory suggests that pitch is related to the rate of nerve impulses sent from the auditory nerve to the brain.

Hearing Loss

  • Loss of hearing can be due to conduction hearing loss of damage to the mechanical system which conducts sound waves to the cochlea, or to sensorineural hearing loss due to damage to the cochlea's receptor cells, or the auditory nerve.

Receptor Cells

  • Hair cells are embedded in the basilar membrane.
  • Pressure on the cochlea (when it is reached) causes the hair cells and basilar membrane to move.

Higher Auditory Processing

  • Different frequencies (pitches) of sounds excite the corresponding sensory neurons in the cochlear, which in turn sends input to different parts of the auditory cortex.
  • Different acoustic area in the cortex correspond to different ranges of frequencies.

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Description

This quiz explores the concepts of sensation and perception, highlighting how physical energy is detected by sensory organs and processed in the brain. Key topics include different types of senses, specialized sensory receptors, and the distinction between sensation and perception. Test your understanding of how our brain interprets sensory information through various mechanisms.

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