chapter 8 - physiology and psychophysics

Question 1

what is the zeitgeist is germany during this time?

Answer 1

• early 1800s, beginnings of studying what we know as sensation and perception, beginnings of psychology as a science
• the conclusion of an imperfect, adaptive model of sensation and perception
• advances in physiology vis dissections, studies of brain damage and nerves (bell-magendie)

Question 2

how do these physiologists’ work inform the mind-body problem?

Answer 2

• understanding how the physical world is sensed and perceived
• investigation of the senses and nervous system (bell-magendie)
• each sense produces a specific energy, hence specific sensations

Question 3

what does the theory of signs tell us about reality?

Answer 3

• our perceptions of the physical world can be incomplete and inaccurate
• reality is subjective to our own perceptions, and can be faulty
• like not seeing someone’s legs if they are covered does not mean they lack legs
• reality is for us to interpret, act upon, and communicate

Question 4

what is the importance of weber and fechner’s experiments?

Answer 4

• quantifies the perception of change of a stimulus
• contributes to our understanding of sensory processing, perception, and how we interact with the environment
• just noticible difference

Question 5

how would the german physiologists describe the causes of human behavior and thought?

Answer 5

• thought and behavior does not match reality 100% completely or accurately
• we perceive what we can
• the mind-body are connected