Sensational and Perceptual Processes

Sensation

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

Perception

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

Failure of awareness

Phenomena like inattentional blindness where attention matters for perception

Transduction

Conversion of physical energy into neural signals by sensory receptors

Absolute threshold

The minimum stimulus intensity needed for a person to detect a stimulus 50% of the time

What is the difference threshold?

The smallest detectable difference between two stimuli 50% of the time

Sensory adaptation

The diminished sensitivity to a stimulus as a consequence of constant exposure to that stimulus

Bottom up processing

Processing that begins with the sensory input, building up to perception

Top down processing

Processing that begins with higher level cognitive processes and works down to influence perception

Perceptual constancy

The perception of objects as unchanging even when illumination or retinal image changes

Binocular disparity

A depth cue arising from the difference between the two eyes views of world