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PSYCHOLOGY REVIEW DAY #2
UNIT 4 STATION – SENSATION & PERCEPTION
Absolute threshold: the smallest amount of stimulus that we can perceive 50% of the time.
Bipolar cells: specialized cells that connect the rods & cones with the ganglion cells
Blind spot: the spot on the retina where the optic nerve leaves the retina and there are no rods or cones
Bottom-up processing: we start our perception at the bottom with the individual characteristics of the image and put all those
characteristics together in our final perception. Our mind builds the picture from the bottom up using basic characteristics
Change blindness: failing to notice a visual change when our attention is directed elsewhere
Cornea: protective covering on the front of the eye that helps gather and direct incoming light
Difference threshold (just-noticeable difference):: smallest amount of change needed in a stimulus before we can detect a change.
Feature detectors: Groups of neurons in the visual cortex respond to different types in visual images (vertical lines, curves and
movement).
Ganglion cells: specialized cells that connect to the bipolar cells; its axons form the optic nerve
Gate-control theory: theory stating that psychological factors can block pain messages from traveling to our brain
Hearing (audition): sound waves hit the eardrum then the small bones in the middle ear, causing everything to vibrate. When the hair
cells in the inner ear vibrate, they send impulses up the auditory nerve to the thalamus.
Iris:: colored part of the eye that controls the size of the pupil and how much light can enter the eye
Kinesthetic sense: give us feedback about the position and orientation of specific body parts. Receptors in our muscles and joints send
information to our brain about our limbs.
Lens:: curved and flexible transparent structure, located behind the eye, that actively focuses or bends light that enters the pupil
Opponent process theory: a theory of color vision stating that sensory receptors arranged in the retina come in pairs (red/green,
yellow/blue, black/white). If one sensor is stimulated, the other is inhibited from firing. Explains afterimages
Optic nerve: nerve leading from the retina that carries impulses to the occipital lobe of the brain.
Perception: the process of integrating, organizing, and interpreting sensations
Pupil: opening in the center of the eye. Muscles that control the pupil (iris) opens it (dilates) to let more light in and also makes it
smaller to let less light in.
Retina: as the light passes through the lens, the image is flipped upside down and projected onto the retina. Special neurons in the
retina (rods and cones) are activated by light and send impulses along the optic nerve to the occipital lobe of the brain.
Rods and cones: cones=color, rods=black and white
Selective attention: focus of conscious awareness on a particular stimulus
Sensation: the process by which our sensory systems (eyes, ears, etc.) receive stimuli from the environment
Sensory adaptation: the decline in sensitivity to stimuli due to constant stimulation.
Signal detection theory: theory that takes into account how motivated we are to detect certain stimuli and what we expect to perceive.
Smell (olfaction): molecules of substances rise into the air and are drawn into our nose. The molecules settle and are absorbed by
receptor cells located at the top of each nostril.
Taste (gustation): taste buds on the tongue absorb chemicals from the food we eat. Humans sense five types of tastes; sweet, sour,
salty, bitter and umami.
Top-down processing: we perceive by filling in gaps in what we sense. Occurs when you use your background knowledge to fill in gaps
in what you perceive.
Touch: Our sense of touch is activated when our skin is indented, pierced, or experiences a change in temperature, pressure, or pain
Transduction: the translation of incoming stimuli into neural signals. Neural impulses from the senses travel first to the thalamus and
then on to different areas of the brain.
Trichromatic theory: theory that states we have three types of cones in the retina (red, blue and green). These cones are activated in
different combinations to produce all the colors of the visible spectrum
Vestibular sense: tells us about how our body is oriented in space. Hair cells in ear give the brain feedback about body orientation.
Weber's Law: the change needed is proportional to the original intensity of the stimulus.
Work hard. Be nice.
1.
The blind spot in our eye results from
(1) the lack of receptors at the spot where the optic nerve connects to the retina.
(2) the shadow the pupil makes on the retina.
(3) competing processing between the visual cortices in the left and right hemisphere.
(4) floating debris in the space between the lens and the retina.
2.
Smell and taste are called _______________ because ______________.
(1) energy senses; they send impulses to the brain in the form of electric energy.
(2) chemical senses; they detect chemicals in what we taste and smell.
(3) flavor senses; smell and taste combine to create flavor.
(4) chemical senses; they send impulses to the brain in the form of chemicals.
3.
Weber’s Law determines
(1) absolute threshold.
(2) focal length of the eye.
(3) amplitude of sound waves.
(4) just-noticeable difference.
4.
Which of the following sentences best describes the relationship between sensation and perception?
(1) Sensation is a strictly mechanical process, whereas perception is a cognitive process.
(2) Perception is an advanced form of sensation.
(3) Sensation happens in the senses, whereas perception happens in the brain.
(4) Sensation is detecting stimuli, perception is interpreting stimuli detected.
5.
A person’s vestibular sense helps control
(1) depth perception.
(2) perception of pain.
(3) the process of eyes adjusting to a darkened room.
(4) balance.
6.
The way we perceive objects is determined by
(1) our emotional state.
(2) learning and past experiences.
(3) our expectations and attitudes about what we see
(4) all of the above.
7.
Signal detection theory attempts to find out
(1) how psychological factors affect perception.
(2) the lowest sounds that people and animals can hear.
(3) which cues are the most effective for showing depth.
(4) all of the above
8.
Color blindness and color afterimages are best explained by what theory of color vision?
(1) trichromatic theory
(2) visible hue theory
(3) opponent-process theory
(4) dichromatic theory
9.
Three tiny bones make up the middle ear. Their function is to:
(1) add tension to the basilar membrane.
(2) sense movement and gravity.
(3) detect loudness in hearing.
(4) vibrate to relay sound waves to the auditory nerve.
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