Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Introduction to Psychology > Chapter 5: Sensation and Perception > Flashcards

Chapter 5: Sensation and Perception Flashcards

1
Q

Sensation

A

The perception of a physical stimulus and the transmission of that information to the brain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Perception

A

The further processing, organisation, and interpretation of sensory information by the brain

It creates a conscious view of the world and relates stimuli to the meaning of those stimuli

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is bottom up processing?

A

Based on the physical properties of the stimuli

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is top down processing?

A

About how existing knowledge and expectations influence the interpretation of sensory experiences

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is sensory coding?

A

Our sensory system translates the stimuli into patterns of neural impulses

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is transduction

A

The term for this translation of stimuli

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What specialised cells are needed for transduction?

A

Sensory receptors

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What do sensory receptors do?

A

Receive physical or chemical stimulation and then transmit impulses to the brain

Most of the sensory information passes through the thalamus to a specific area of the cerebral cortex

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the 2 types of information that the brain receives?

A

Qualitative

Quantitative

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the qualitative information about a stimulus?

A

Refers to the basic properties of the stimulus (the difference between sight and hearing)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the quantitative information about a stimulus?

A

Refers to the degree or strength of the stimulus (the difference between hot and cold)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

How are the quantitative properties recognised?

A

By the rate of firing of a particular neuron

If the firing of a particular neuron is faster it means that the stimulus is more intense

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How is sensory information detected?

A

Needs to reach a certain threshold

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is absolute threshold?

A

The minimum intensity of the stimulus required before it is experienced

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the difference threshold?

A

The smallest difference between two stimuli that can be perceived

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What does Weber’s law state?

A

States that the smallest difference a person can perceive between two stimuli is based on the original stimulus and not on a fixed number

17
Q

What happens when the stimulus is stronger based on Weber’s law?

A

The stronger the stimulus, the greater the difference must be to notice it

18
Q

What does the signal recognition theory state?

A

States that detecting a stimulus is not an objective process

19
Q

What are the two components of detecting a stimulus?

A

Sensitivity to the stimulus in the presence of distraction form other stimuli

The criteria used to form a judgment from ambiguous information

20
Q

What is sensory adaptation?

A

The reduction fo sensitivity to a constant level of stimulation

21
Q

Example of sensory adaptation

A

No longer noticing the traffic that constantly drives by your bedroom

22
Q

Synesthesia

A

The combined experience of, for example, taste with colour

23
Q

Where does the light enter the eye?

A

The cornea

24
Q

What is the pupil (eye)

A

A narrow opening at the front of the eye

The contraction or dilation of the pupil determines how much light enters the eye

25
Q

What is the iris?

A

A circular muscle which determines the colour of the eye and regulates the size of the pupil

26
Q

When does the pupil dilate?

A

When the light is weak or when we see something we like

27
Q

What is accommodation for the eye?

A

Behind the iris, muscles change the shape of the lens

The lens is flattened to focus on distant objects and thickened to focus on closer objects

28
Q

What is the retina?

A

Once the light has passed through the lens, an image forms on the retina, the thin surface at the back of the eye

The retina is the only part of the central nervous system that is visible from the outside

The retina contains sensory receptors that convert light into neural signals

29
Q

What are the 2 receptors on the retina?

A

Rods

Cones

30
Q

Rods

A

Respond to very low levels of light and are responsible for the night vision

The rods are not good at distinguishing colours and recognising small details

31
Q

Cones

A

Are responsible for vision under bright conditions and for seeing colour and detail

32
Q

Fovea

A

In the retina, the cones are close together in an area

33
Q
A

Introduction to Psychology (10 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions