Cognitive Psychology and Perception

Vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes about cognitive psychology, perception, and related concepts.

Cognitive Psychology

The study of human cognition by observing the behavior of people performing various cognitive tasks.

Cognitive Neuroscience

Understanding human cognition by combining information from behavior and the brain.

Cognitive Maps

Internal representation of an external environmental feature or landmark.

Information Processing Model

Analogy between the mind and the computer.

Bottom-up Processing

Processing based on incoming stimuli from the environment; also called data-based processing.

Serial Processing

Processing one step at a time.

Top-down Processing

Processing based on the perceiver’s previous knowledge (cognitive factors); also called knowledge-based processing.

Parallel Processing

Processing multiple things at the same time.

Cascade Processing

A type of information processing where a flow of activity passes from one level to the next before the first is finished.

Ecological Validity

The extent to which the conditions simulated in the laboratory reflect the real world.

Paradigm Specificity

The extent to which the results of an experiment apply only to the specific methods used.

Perception

Involves the integration and meaningful interpretation of raw sensory experiences.

Sensation

Raw experiences associated with stimuli; elementary elements that combine to create perceptions.

Transduction

The transformation of environmental energy into electrical energy.

Neural Processing

The changes that occur as signals are transmitted through the maze of neurons.

Visual Form Agnosia

An inability to recognize objects caused by brain damage.

Environmental Stimuli

All objects (and events) in the environment available to the observer.

Principle of Transformation

Stimuli and responses created by stimuli are transformed between the environmental stimulus and perception.

Principle of Representation

Everything a person perceives is based not on direct contact with stimuli but on representations of stimuli that are formed on the receptors and on activity in the person’s nervous system.

Psychophysical Approach (Psychophysics)

The stimulus-perception relationship.

Physiological Approach

The stimulus-physiological response & physiological response and behavioral responses.

Absolute Threshold

Minimum stimulus intensity that can just be detected.

Method of Limits

Stimuli of different intensities presented in ascending and descending order; cross-over point is the threshold.

Method of Adjustment

Stimulus intensity is adjusted continuously until observer detects it.

Method of Constant Stimuli

Five to nine stimuli of different intensities are presented in random order; threshold is the intensity that results in detection in 50% of trials.

Difference Threshold (DL)

Just noticeable difference (JND); smallest difference between two stimuli a person can detect.

Weber’s Law

As magnitude of stimulus increases, so does DL.

Magnitude Estimation (Scaling)

Observer is given a standard stimulus and a value for its intensity; observer compares the standard stimulus to test stimuli by assigning numbers relative to the standard.

Response Compression

As intensity increases, the perceived magnitude increases more slowly than the intensity; associated with exponents < 1.0.

Response Expansion

As intensity increases, the perceived magnitude increases more quickly than the intensity; associated with exponents > 1.0.

Steven’s Power Law

P = KSn, P = perceived magnitude, K = constant, S = stimulus intensity, n = power the stimulus is raised to.

Phenomenological Method

A person is asked to describe what he or she is perceiving or to indicate when a particular perception occurs.

Liberal Responder

Responds yes if there is the slightest possibility of experiencing the stimulus.

Conservative Responder

Responds no unless certain of experiencing the stimulus.

Response Criterion

A person’s individual response bias.

Signal Detection Theory

Used to take individual’s response criteria into account.