Chapter 1 Flashcards
(19 cards)
The initial steps in the perceptual process, whereby physical features of the environment are converted into electrochemical signals that are sent to the brain for processing (physiological)
Sensation
Physiological functions for converting particular environmental features into electrochemical signals
Sense
The later steps in the perceptual process, whereby the initial sensory signals are used to represent objects and events so they can be identified, stored in memory, and used in thought and action (psychological)
Perception
Information in the mind and brain used to identify objects and events, to store them in memory, and to support thought and action
Representations
The objects and events that are perceived and the physical phenomena they produce
Stimuli
A perceived object or event in the world
Distal Stimulus
A physical phenomenon evoked by a distal stimulus that impinges on the specialized cells of a sense
Proximal Stimulus
Cells of the nervous system that produce and transmit information-carrying signals
Neurons
Information-carrying electrochemical signals produced and transmitted by neurons
Neural Signals
Specialized neutrons that convert proximal stimuli into neural signals
Sensory Receptors
An observer’s knowledge, expectations, and goals, which can affect perception
Top-Down Information
The information contained in neural signals from receptors
Bottom-Up Information
The transformation of a physical stimulus into neural signals
Transduction
A pattern of neural signals that carries information about a stimulus and can serve as a representation of that stimulus
Neural Code
A field of study concerned with relating psychological experience to physical stimuli
Psychophysics
The basic mechanism of biological evolution, whereby advantageous traits are more likely to be passed on to offspring through genetic inheritance and to become increasingly prevalent in a population
Natural Selection
The minimum intensity of a physical stimulus that can just be detected by an observer
Absolute Threshold
A behavioral method used in psychophysical experiments; when used to measure the absolute threshold, the participant observes a stimulus and manipulates a control that directly adjusts the intensity of the stimulus
Method of Adjustment
A behavioral method used in psychophysical experiments; when used to measure the absolute threshold, the participant is repeatedly presented with a fixed set of stimuli, in random order, covering a range of intensities, and the participant must indicate whether or not each stimulus was detected
Method of Constant Stimuli
