Sensation and Perception

Question 1

Sensation

Answer 1

The conversion of Physical Stimuli into Neurological Signals

Question 2

Perception

Answer 2

It is the Processing of Sensory Information to Make Sense of its Significance

Question 3

Where are Sensory Stimuli Transmitted

Answer 3

To the projection areas in the brain which further analyze the sensory input

Question 4

What is a Threshold

Answer 4

The minimum stimulus that causes a change in signal transduction

Question 5

What is Weber’s Law

Answer 5

The JND for a stimulus is proportional to the magnitude of the stimulus and this proportion is constant over most of the range of possible stimuli

Question 6

What is the Signal Detection Theory

Answer 6

The effects of non-sensory factors such as experiences, motives, and expectations on perception of stimuli

Question 7

What is Response Bias

Answer 7

It is examined using signal detection theory with four possible outcomes, hit, misses, false alarms and correct negatives.

Question 8

Adaptation

Answer 8

A decrease in response to a stimulus over time

Question 9

What is the Visual Pathway

Answer 9

The retina to the optic nerves to the chiasm to the optic tracts to the LGN of the thalamus to the visual radiations to the visual cortex

Question 10

What is the Purpose of the Cochlea

Answer 10

To detect sound

Question 11

What is the Purpose of the Utricle and Saccule

Answer 11

To detect linear acceleration

Question 12

What is the purpose of the semicircular canals

Answer 12

To detect rotational acceleration

Question 13

What is the Auditory Pathway

Answer 13

Cochlea to Vestibulocochlear nerve to MGN of the the thalamus to the auditory cortex

Question 14

Smell is

Answer 14

detection o volatile or aerosolized chemicals by olfactory chemoreceptors (olfactory nerves)

Question 15

Taste is

Answer 15

detection of dissolved compounds by taste buds in papillae

Question 16

Somatosensation

Answer 16

Four touch modalities (pressure vibration, pain, and temperature)

Question 17

What is Kinesthetic or Proprioception Sense

Answer 17

The ability to tell where one’s body is in space

Question 18

What is Bottom Up Processing

Answer 18

It is data driven processing which is recognition of objects by parallel processing and feature detection. It is slower than top down processing but less prone to mistakes

Question 19

What is Top Down Processing

Answer 19

It is conceptually driven processing which is recognition of an object by memories and expectations with little attention to detail. It is faster than bottom up processing but more prone to mistakes.

Question 20

Define Gestalt Principles

Answer 20

Ways that the brain can infer missing parts of an image when it is incomplete

Question 21

What are Gestalts Laws

Answer 21

1. The law of proximity - elements close to each other are perceived as a unit
2. The law of similarity - objects that are similar appear to be grouped together
3. The law of good continuation says that elements that appear to follow the same pathway tend to be grouped together
4. Subjective of Contours - perception of non-existent edges and corners in figures based on surrounding visual cues
5. The Law of closure says that when a space is enclosed by a group of lines it is perceived as a complete or closed line.
6. The law of Pragnanz - perceptual organization will always be as regular, simple, and symmetric as possible.

Question 22

Sound Projects to the

Answer 22

Superior Olive

Question 23

Outer Ear

Answer 23

consists of the pinna (auricle), external auditory canal, and tympanic membrane

Question 24

Middle Ear

Answer 24

Eustachian tube

Question 25

Inner Ear

Answer 25

Contains the bony labyrinth (filled with perilymph), within which is the membranous labyrinth (filled with endolymph).

Question 26

The Membranous Labyrinth Consists of the

Answer 26

cochlea, utricle and saccule, and the semicircular canals

Question 27

Ganglia

Answer 27

are collections of cell bodies outside the central nervous system

Question 28

Absolute Threshold

Answer 28

The absolute threshold is the minimum of stimulus energy that is needed to activate a sensory system

Question 29

The Threshold of Conscious Perception

Answer 29

is the minimum of stimulus energy needed that will create a signal large enough in size and long enough in duration to be brought into awareness.

Question 30

The Difference Threshold (JND)

Answer 30

the minimum difference in magnitude between two stimuli before one can perceive this difference.

Question 31

The Cornea

Answer 31

gathers and filters incoming light

Question 32

The Iris

Answer 32

Divides the front of the eye into the anterior and posterior chamber. It contains two muscles the dilator and constrictor papillae which open and close the pupil.

Question 33

The lens

Answer 33

refracts incoming light to focus it on the retina and is held in place by suspensory ligaments connected to the ciliary muscle.

Question 34

The ciliary body

Answer 34

produces aqueous humor which drains through the canal of shclemm

Question 35

The retina

Answer 35

contains rods and cones

Question 36

Rods

Answer 36

Detect light and Dark

Question 37

Cones

Answer 37

Detect color and come in three forms based on wavelength (short, medium, and long)

Question 38

Macula

Answer 38

A part of the retina that mostly contains cones

Question 39

Fovea

Answer 39

The center of the macula which contains only cones.

Question 40

Rods and Cones

Answer 40

Synapse on bipolar cells which synapses on ganglion cells.

Question 41

Amacrine and Horizontal Cells

Answer 41

integrate signals from the ganglion cells they also sharpen edges.

Question 42

The bulk of the eye is

Answer 42

Supported by the vitreous on the inside and the sclera and choroid on the outside.

Question 43

All Senses Occur Through

Answer 43

Parallel Processing

Question 44

Parallel Processing

Answer 44

The ability to simultaneously analyze and combine information regarding color shape and motion.

Question 45

Parovocellular Cells

Answer 45

Detect shape with high spatial resolution and low temporal resolution

Question 46

Magnocellular Cells

Answer 46

Detect Motion with low spatial resolution and high temporal resolution.

Question 47

The Optic Chiasm

Answer 47

contains fibers crossing from the nasal side of the retina (temporal visual fields) of both eyes

Question 48

The visual radiations

Answer 48

run through the temporal and parietal lobes

Question 49

Habituation

Answer 49

is the process of becoming used to a stimulus

Question 50

Dishabituation (Resensitization)

Answer 50

A sudden increase in a response to a stimulus, usually due to a change in the stimulus or addition of another stimulus. can occur when a second stimulus intervenes, causing a resensitization to the original stimulus.