Unit 4

Question 1

The process by which our sensory receptors and nervous system receive and represent stimulus energies from our environment

Answer 1

Sensation

Question 2

Process of organizing and interpreting sensory information, enabling us to recognize meaningful objects and events

Answer 2

Perception

Question 3

Analysis based on new information

Answer 3

Botton-up processing

Question 4

Analysis based on previous experiences

Answer 4

Top-down processing

Question 5

Focusing of conscious awareness on a particular stimuli

Answer 5

Selective attention

Question 6

Failing to see visible objects when our attention is directed elsewhere

Answer 6

Inattentional blindness

Question 7

Failure to notice changes in the environment

Answer 7

Change blindness

Question 8

The minimum stimulation needed to detect a particular stimulus 50% of the time

Answer 8

Absolute threshold

Question 9

Theory predicting how and when we detect the presence of a faint stimulus (signal) amid background stimulus (noise)

Answer 9

Signal detection theory

Question 10

Below ones absolute threshold for conscious awareness

Answer 10

Subliminal

Question 11

The activation, often unconscious, of certain associations, thus predisposing ones perception, memory, or response

Answer 11

Priming

Question 12

The minimum difference between two stimuli required for 50% of the time

Answer 12

Difference threshold

Question 13

Principle that, to be perceived as different, two stimuli must differ by a constant percentage rather than a constant amount

Answer 13

Weber’s law

Question 14

Diminished sensitivity as a consequence of constant stimulation

Answer 14

Sensory adaption

Question 15

Conversion of one form of NRG into another

-sight or sound into neural impulses

Answer 15

Transduction

Question 16

Distance from the peak of one wave to another to determine the lights hue

Answer 16

Wavelength

Question 17

The dimension of color that is determined by wavelength of light

Answer 17

Hue

Question 18

The amount of energy in a light or sound wave, which we perceive as brightness or loudness, determined by the waves amplitude

Answer 18

Intensity

Question 19

The adjustable opening in the center of the eye where light enters

Answer 19

Pupil

Question 20

A ring of muscle tissue that forms the colored portion of the eye around the pupil

Answer 20

Iris

Question 21

The transparent structure behind the pupil that changes shape to help focus images on the retina

Answer 21

Lens

Question 22

The light-sensitive inner surface of the eye containing rods and cones to process visual info

Answer 22

Retina

Question 23

The process by which the eyes lens changes shape to focus near or far objects on the retina

Answer 23

Accommodation

Question 24

Retinal receptors that detect black, white, and gray

-necessary for night vision

Answer 24

Rods

Question 25

Retinal receptors that function in daylight or well-lit conditions -detect fine detail and give rise to color sensations

Answer 25

Cones

Question 26

The nerve that carries neural impulses from the eye to the brain

Answer 26

Optic nerve

Question 27

The point where the optic nerve leaves the eye creating a spot where no receptor cells are located

Answer 27

Blind spot

Question 28

The central focal point in the retina where the cones cluster

Answer 28

Fovea

Question 29

Nerve cells in the brain that respond to specific features of the stimulus, such as shape, angle, or movement

Answer 29

Feature detectors

Question 30

The process of many aspects of a problem simultaneously

Answer 30

Parallel processing

Question 31

Theory that the retina contains three different color receptors; red,blue, and green

Answer 31

Young-Helmholtz trichromatic theory

Question 32

Theory that opposing retinal processes enable color vision

Answer 32

Opponent-process theory

Question 33

A tones highness or lowness

Answer 33

Pitch

Question 34

The number of wavelengths that pass a point at a given time

Answer 34

Frequency

Question 35

Chamber between eardrum and cochlea containing three bones (hammer, anvil, stirrup) that vibrate the eardrum

Answer 35

Middle ear

Question 36

Coiled, bony, fluid-filled tube in the inner ear where sound waves trigger nerve impulses

Answer 36

Cochlea

Question 37

Innermost part of the ear, containing the cochlea, semicircular canals, and vestibular sacs

Answer 37

Inner ear

Question 38

Theory that links the pitch we hear with the place on the cochlea where it is stimulated

Answer 38

Place theory

Question 39

Theory that the rate of nerve impulses traveling up the auditory nerve matches the frequency of the tone

Answer 39

Frequency theory

Question 40

Caused by damage to the eardrum or bones

Answer 40

Conduction hearing loss

Question 41

Caused by damage to the cochleas receptor cells

Answer 41

Sensorineural hearing loss

Question 42

Device for converting sounds into electrical signals

Answer 42

Cochlear implant

Question 43

The system for sensing the position and movement of body parts

Answer 43

Kinesthesis

Question 44

The sense of body movement and position, including sense of balance

Answer 44

Vestibular sense

Question 45

Sensory receptors that detect hurtful temperature, pressure, or chemicals

Answer 45

Nociceptors

Question 46

Theory that the spinal cord contains a neurological gate that blocks pain signals or allows them to pass on to the brain

Answer 46

Gate-control theory

Question 47

Our tendency to integrate pieces of information into meaningful wholes

Answer 47

Gestalt

Question 48

The organization of the visual field into objects that stan out from their surroundings

Answer 48

Figure-ground

Question 49

The ability to see objects in three dimensions; allows judgement of distance

Answer 49

Depth-perception

Question 50

A laboratory device for testing depth perception in infants and young animals

Answer 50

Visual cliff

Question 51

Depth cues that depend on the use of two eyes

Answer 51

Binocular cues

Question 52

Depth cues available to either eye on their own

Answer 52

Monocular cues

Question 53

An illusion of movement created when two or more adjacent lights blink on and off in quick succession

Answer 53

Phi phenomenon

Question 54

Perceiving objects as unchanged even as illumination and retinal images change

Answer 54

Perceptual constancy

Question 55

Perceiving the form of objects as similar even though the retinal image of it changes -opening a door

Answer 55

Shape constancy

Question 56

Perceiving objects as having a constant size even while our distance varies

Answer 56

Size constancy

Question 57

Perceiving objects as having a constant color even if changing illumination alters the color

Answer 57

Color constancy

Question 58

A mental predisposition to perceive one thing and not another

Answer 58

Perceptual set

Question 59

The controversial claim that perception can occur apart from sensory input -telepathy, clairvoyance, and precognition

Answer 59

Extrasensory perception

Question 60

The study of paranormal phenomena including ESP and psychokinesis

Answer 60

Parapsychology