short answer assessment

absolute threshold

• the minimum intensity of a stimulus that can be detected

• assesses out ability to tell something from nothing

difference threshold

measures how we can tell something from something else

signal detection theory (when a phone is ringing)

with perception we cannot assume that it turns on and off with the timing of physical events after they reach the ear

signal detection theory, what is a hit, miss, correct rejection, and false alarm?

an example for the book, radiologist scans something for cancer sees something but Is not sure if it is cancerous of benign with the wrong call the patient could either be at risk for death or concern of the radiology is wrong, this perceptual decision has real consequences.

What is a computational model?

sensory receptors provide data about the physical world, perception arrives at a representation of that world. in between these two points the data has to be processed. this model offers detail of processing and make precise quantitive predictions allowing comparison.

Explain the doctrine of specific nerve energies

since we are only aware of the activity in our nerves what is most important must be which nerves are stimulated and not how they are stimulated