Chapter 1 (introduction) Flashcards
What is the role of the human brain in sensory processing?
To process sensory inputs quickly and efficiently, allowing conscious selection among them.
This involves complex neural processes that result in our perception.
What is the difference between sensation and perception?
Sensation is the registering of physical stimuli; perception is the interpretation of that sensory input.
Sensation involves converting stimuli into neural signals, while perception involves understanding those signals.
Why is understanding sensation and perception considered complex?
The human mind and brain are intricate, requiring patience and hard work to comprehend.
This complexity is reflected in the terminology and concepts involved.
What influences our perceptual experience?
Psychological processes such as attention, intention, emotion, and biases.
These factors can shape how we interpret sensory information.
Give an example of how personal biases can influence perception.
Two fans watching the same basketball game perceive the same play differently based on their team loyalties.
This illustrates how subjective experiences can alter perception.
What is the standard classification of senses taught in schools?
Vision, hearing, touch, smell, and taste.
This classification is historically rooted but overly simplistic.
What additional senses beyond the traditional five are mentioned?
Vestibular system, proprioception, and various touch receptors.
This suggests a broader understanding of human sensory systems.
What is the significance of the vestibular system?
It helps maintain balance and is crucial for spatial orientation.
This system is essential for coordination and movement.
How does the perception of flavor involve multiple senses?
Flavor is a complex interaction of smell, taste, and even vision.
This interaction illustrates how sensory modalities can work together.
What is multisensory processing?
The study of how one sensory system affects the perception of another.
This area of study is gaining importance in understanding sensory integration.
What is the role of cognitive processing in perception?
It aids in interpreting sensory input and understanding the environment.
Cognitive processes help distinguish objects and their contexts.
Fill in the blank: Sensation is about _______ and perception is about _______.
stimuli; interpretation.
This highlights the distinct yet interconnected roles of sensation and perception.
How does cultural knowledge influence perception?
It enhances understanding of sensory input, making perception more meaningful.
Cultural context can shape how we interpret what we see.
What must happen for us to perceive an image, such as a doll?
The image must fall on the retina and the perceptual environment must be parsed.
What does the perceptual process refer to?
The sequence of mental operations from initial sensory input to understanding our conscious experience.
What is veridicality in perception?
The desire for sensory systems to produce a truthful representation of the environment.
What are attended stimuli?
Stimuli that are important or interesting and to which we focus our attention.
Give two examples of sensory experiences.
- Aroma of roasting coffee
- Sight of a glorious sunset
What is transduction?
The process of converting physical stimuli into neural responses.
What specialized cells are responsible for vision?
Rods and cones located on the retina.
What do hair cells in the cochlea transduce?
Sound vibrations into neural responses.
What distinguishes sensation from perception?
Sensation is the transduction process, while perception is the processing of neural signals into usable images or experiences.
What role does action play in perception?
Action includes any motor activity guided by perception, such as moving eyes or turning heads.
What is phenomenology?
Our subjective experience of perception.
