Sensation and Perception

Sensation

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

Sensory receptors

Nerve endings that respond to stimuli.

Perception

The process of organizing and interpreting sensory information, enabling the recognition of meaningful objects and events.

Bottom-up processing

The process of determining characteristics of a stimulus from basic sensory information.

Top-down processing

The process of interpreting sensory information based on previous knowledge and expectations.

Intentional blindness

Failing to see visible objects when our attention is directed elsewhere.

Change blindness

Failing to notice changes in the environment; a form of inattentional blindness.

Transduction

The process of converting one form of energy to another that our brain can use by receiving sensory stimulation and transforming it into neural impulses.

Absolute threshold

The minimum level of stimulus intensity needed to detect sights, sounds, textures, taste, and smells.

Signal Detection Theory

A theory that predicts when we will detect weak signals and seeks to understand why the same person's reactions vary as circumstances change.

Sensory adaptation

The diminished sensitivity to a stimulus due to constant stimulation.

Perceptual set

A set of mental tendencies and assumptions that affect our senses.

Motivation

Can bias our interpretations of neutral stimuli.

Emotion

Can influence our perceptions in various directions.

Clairvoyance

The ability to perceive remote events.

Parapsychology

The study of paranormal phenomena, including ESP and psychokinesis.

What is the threshold for detecting light, sound, pressure, taste, and odor?

The threshold is the minimum level of stimulation required to detect light, sound, pressure, taste, and odor.

What does Signal Detection Theory seek to understand?

Why the same person's reactions vary as circumstances change.

Transduction

process of converting one form of energy to another that our brain can use by receiving simulation and transform that into neural impulses

True

T or F: emotion can shove perception in various directions

What does Signal Detection Theory predict?

When we will detect weak signals.