Chapter 3
Sensation and Perception
Learning Objectives
Introduction: What is Sensation and Perception?, pp. 91-95
1.
Distinguish between sensation and perception, and give examples that illustrate their differences.
2.
Explain the process of transduction.
3.
Discuss the idea of sensory thresholds, defining absolute and difference thresholds and explaining the significance of
Weber’s Law.
4.
Explain the process of sensory adaptation.
5.
Distinguish between subliminal perception and subliminal persuasion, and discuss research on the effects of subliminal
perception.
Vision: From Light to Sight, pp. 96-105
6.
Explain the electromagnetic spectrum and its relationship to human vision.
7.
Describe the visual process, noting the key structures of the eye and their functions.
8.
Identify the functions of rods and cones, describe the blind spot, and explain how visual information is transmitted to and
processed in the brain.
9.
Compare the trichromatic and opponent-process theories of color vision, and discuss how each theory explains different
aspects of color vision.
Hearing: From Vibration to Sound, pp. 106-108
10.
Describe the nature of sound, and list the physical properties of sound waves.
11.
Explain the process of hearing, noting the role played by different parts of the ear.
12.
Distinguish between place and frequency theories, and specify how each theory explains the phenomenon of pitch.
The Chemical and Body Senses, pp. 109-115
13.
Describe the process of olfaction, including the transmission of olfactory information to the brain.
14.
Define pheromones, and discuss the research evidence supporting the notion that human pheromones exist.
15.
Distinguish between flavor and taste, identify the basic taste categories, and describe the role of the taste buds in
gustation.
16.
Identify the skin senses and the sensory receptors associated with each sensation.
17.
Describe the processes and neurotransmitters involved in pain perception, and explain how the gate-control theory
accounts for the process of pain perception.
18.
Discuss the role of the kinesthetic and vestibular senses in body position, balance, and equilibrium.
Perception, pp. 116-132
19.
Distinguish between bottom-up and top-down processing, and the role each plays in perception.
20.
Define ESP and parapsychology, identify different forms of ESP, and summarize what research has shown about ESP
claims.
21.
Describe the school of Gestalt psychology, figure-ground relationships, and the Gestalt principles of organization.
22.
List and describe the monocular and binocular cues used in depth perception, and give examples of each.
23.
Identify the sources of information that influence motion perception, and describe different types of apparent motion.
24.
List and describe the three forms of perceptual constancy.
25.
Discuss perceptual illusions, and explain the Müller-Lyer illusion, the moon illusion, and impossible figures.
26.
Distinguish between the nativist and empiricist explanations of perception, and describe the evidence supporting the
carpentered-world hypothesis.
27.
Define perceptual set, and discuss how experience can influence perceptual interpretations.
Application: Strategies to Control Pain, p. 132
28.
Identify and describe several strategies to help control pain.