Modules 17-18 Flashcards
what is sensation
The process by which our sensory receptors and nervous system receive and represent stimulus energies from our environment
what is perception
The process of organizing and interpreting sensory information, enabling us to recognize meaningful objects and events
what is bottom-up processing
Sensory analysis that begins at the entry level, with information flowing from the sensory receptors to the brain
what is top-down processing
Information processing guided by high-level mental processes, as when we construct perceptions by filtering information through our experience and expectations
what is the signal detection theory
- Predicts how and when we will detect a faint stimulus (signal) amid background stimulation (noise)
- Individual thresholds vary depending on the strength of the signal and on our experience, expectations, motivation, and alertness
what is the absolute threshold
-The minimum stimulus energy needed to detect a particular stimulus 50 percent of the time
-Tested by defining the point where half the time a stimulus is detected and half the time it is not
what is the subliminal threshold
Input below the absolute threshold for conscious awareness
what is a subliminal stimuli
Subliminal stimuli are those that are too weak to detect 50 percent of the time; they are below the absolute threshold
what is a subliminal sensation
Subliminal sensation exists, but such sensations are too fleeting to enable exploitation with subliminal messages
what is a subliminal persuasion
Subliminal persuasion may produce a fleeting and subtle but not powerful or enduring effect on behavior (Greenwald, 1992).
what is the difference threshold
Minimum difference that a person can detect between any two stimuli half the time
what is sensory adaptation
diminished sensitivity as a consequence of constant stimulation
what is a perceptual set
Mental tendencies and assumptions that affect (top-down) what we hear, taste, feel, and see.
what determines our perceptual set
-Schemas organize and interpret unfamiliar information through experience.
-Preexisting schemas influence top-down processing of ambiguous sensation interpretation, including gender stereotypes
what are context effects
A given stimulus may trigger different perceptions because of the immediate context
how do emotions influence our perception
- Walking destinations look farther away when we are fatigued.
- Slopes look steeper when we are wearing a heavy backpack (or after listening to sad, heavy classical music).
- Water bottles look closer when we are thirst
what is a wavelength
Distance from the peak of one light wave or sound wave to the peak of the next. Electromagnetic wavelengths vary from the short blips of cosmic rays to the long pulses of radio transmission
what is the intensity
Amount of energy in a light wave or sound wave, which influences what we perceive as brightness or loudness. Intensity is determined by the wave’s amplitude (height
what is the hue
Dimension of color that is determined by the wavelength of light; what we know as the color names blue, green, and so forth.
what does the perceived light hue depend on
its wavelength
what does lights brightness depend on
its intensity
brighter colours =
greater amplitudes
high frequency =
bluish colors
what is the cornea
Portion of the eye through which light passes (to the pupil and lens) and is bent to help provide focus
