Studied by 22 people
Sensation
the process by which our sensory receptors and nervous system receive and represent stimulus energies from our environment
Sensory receptors
sensory nerve endings that respond to stimuli
Perception
the process by which our brain organizes and interprets sensory information, enabling us to recognize objects and events as meaningful
Bottom-up processing
information processing that begins with the sensory receptors and works up to the brain’s integration of sensory information
Top-down processing
information processing guided by higher-level mental processes, as when we construct perceptions drawing on our experience and expectations
Transduction
conversion of one form of energy into another. in sensation, the transforming of physical energy, such as sights, sounds, and smells, into neural impulses the brain can interpret
Psychophysics
the study of relationships between the physical characteristics of stimuli, such as their intensity, and our psychological experience of them
Absolute threshold
the minimum stimulus energy needed to detect a particular stimulus 50% of the time
Signal detection theory
a theory predicting how and when we detect the presence of a faint stimulus (signal) amid background stimulation (noise). assumes there is no single absolute threshold and that detection depends partly on a person’s experience, expectations, motivation, and alertness
Subliminal
below one’s absolute threshold for conscious awareness
Priming
the activation, often unconsciously, of certain associations, thus predisposing one’s perception, memory, or response
Sensory adaptation
diminished sensitivity as a consequence of constant stimulation
Wavelength
the distance from the peak of one light or sound wave to the peak of the next. electromagnetic wavelengths vary from the short gamma waves to the long pulses of radio transmission
Hue
the dimension of color that is determined by the wavelength of light; what we know as the color names blue, green, etc.
Intensity
the 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)
Cornea
the eye’s clear, protective outer layer, covering the pupil and iris
Pupil
the adjustable opening in the center of the eye through which light enters
Iris
a ring of muscle tissue that forms the colored portion of the eye around the pupil and controls the size of the pupil opening
Lens
the transparent structure behind the pupil that changes shape to help focus images on the retina
Retina
the light-sensitive back inner surface of the eye, containing the receptor rods and cones plus layers of neurons that begin the processing of visual information
Accommodation
in sensation and perception, the process by which the eye’s lens changes shape to focus images of near or far objects on the retina
Rods
retinal receptors that detect black, white, and gray; and are sensitive to movement; necessary for peripheral and twilight vision when cones don’t respond
Cones
retinal receptors that are concentrated near the center of the retina and the function in daylight or in well-lit conditions. cones detect fine detail and give rise to color sensations
Optic nerve
the nerve that carries neural impulses from the eye to the brain
Blind spot
the point at which the optic nerve leaves the eye, creating a “blind” spot because no receptor cells are located there
Fovea
the central focal point in the retina, around which the eye’s cones cluster
Young-Helmholtz trichromatic theory
the theory that the retina contains 3 different types of color receptors — one most sensitive to red, one to green, one to blue — which, when stimulated in combination, can produce the perception of any color
Opponent-process theory
the theory that opposing retinal processes (red-green, blue-yellow, white-black) enable color vision. for example, some cells are stimulated by green and inhibited by red; others are stimulated by red and inhibiited by green
Feature detectors
nerve cells in the brain’s visual cortex that respond to specific features of the stimulus, such as shape, angle, or movement
Parallel processing
processing multiple aspects of a stimulus or problems simultaneously
Audition
the sense or act of hearing
Frequency
the number of complete wavelengths that pass a point in a given time (for example, per second)
Pitch
a tone’s experienced highness or lowness; depends on frequency
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