Chapter 4.1: Sensation and perception

Question 1

Sensation

Answer 1

stimulation of a sense organ(touch)

Question 2

Perception

Answer 2

Organization, identification and interpretation of a sensation order to form a mental representation

Question 3

Transduction

Answer 3

Sense receptors convert physical signals from the environment into neural signals that are sent to the CNS:
- Each sensory receptor is sensitive to a particular type of energy(eye = light, skin = mechanical)
- Is our perception an illusion.

Question 4

Psychophysics

Answer 4

Methods that systematically relayed the physical characteristics of a stimulus to an observer’s perceptions

Question 5

Measuring thresholds

Answer 5

Determining how much physical energy is required to become aware of a sensation

Question 6

Absolute threshold

Answer 6

The minimal intensity needed to just barely detect a stimulus in 50% if the trials; useful for assessing sensitivity

Question 7

Just noticeable difference

Answer 7

Minimal change in a stimulus that can just barely be detected - not a fixed quantity; useful for assessing acuity(distinguish between two very similar stimuli)

Question 8

Weber’s law

Answer 8

For every sense domain, the change in a stimulus that is just noticeable is a constant ratio of the standard stimulus over a range if standard intensities(30 vs 60 lbs = noticeable 20 vs 20.1 lbs = undetectable)

Question 9

Sensory adaptation

Answer 9

Sensitivity to prolonged stimulation tends to decline over time as organism adapts to the current (unchanging) conditions

Question 10

Single detection theory

Answer 10

Measures in individuals perceptual sensitivity while taking noise, expectations, motivations, and goals into account