Exam #2 Flashcards
(104 cards)
Transduction
Conversion of stimulus to electrical signal
Absolute Threshold
The smallest amount of a stimulus we can detect 50% of the time
Just Noticeable Difference
The smallest change we can detect in stimulus strength
Sensory adaption
A decrease in the noticeability of a stimulus over time - happens at the sensory receptor level
Perception
The brain’s interpretation of raw sensory input
Sensation vs. Perception
Sensation gathers information from the external world, perception helps us make sense of that information
Perception = ? + ? + ? + ?
Sensory input + past perceptions + context + guesses
T/F? Sensory input is always complete
F
Signal to noise ratio
sometimes the stimulus is unclear so our brain makes its best guess
Perceptual constancy
the process by which we perceive stimuli consistently across varying conditions - shape consistency of a door, interpreting distance of things
Pupil
Hole that allows light into the eye
Iris
colored part, muscle that controls the pupil
Cornea
outside covering that helps protect and focus light
Lens
disc that focuses light on the back of the eye
Retina
membrane on the back of the eye containing sensory receptors
optic nerve
transmits visual signals to the rest of the brain from the eye
Fovea
Area on the retina where light is focused, controls how well you see
(Myopia) Nearsighted; (Hyperopia) Farsighted
Light focuses too soon; light focuses too late
Sound
vibrations that the ears interpret
Pitch
Property of sound corresponding to the frequency of the wave, measured in hertz (hz)
Ossicles
Hammer, Anvil, Stirrup
Outer Ear
Pinna & Ear Canal - Funnels sound waves onto the eardrum
Middle ear
Eardrum, ossicles - Transmits frequency of sound wave from eardrum to inner ear
Inner ear
Semicircular Canals, Cochlea - Converts vibration of sound waves into neural activity (transduction)