Cognitive Psychology - Perception

What is sensation?

Detection and transmission of elementary stimulus properties from the environment to the brain.

What is Perception?

The brain's interpretation and organization of sensory information into meaningful representations.

What is the difference between sensation and perception?

Sensation detects stimuli, while perception interprets and gives meaning to them.

What is transduction?

The conversion of environmental energy into neural signals by sensory receptors.

What are photoreceptors?

Receptors in the retina that respond to light.

What are mechanoreceptors?

Receptors that respond to pressure, stretch, and vibration

What is the perceptual cycle?

The sequence from stimulus detection through neural processing, perception, recognition, and action.

What is bottom-up processing?

Data-driven perception based on sensory input

What is top-down processing?

Perception influenced by knowledge, expectations, and experience.

Why is perception not a direct copy of reality?

The brain actively interprets and organizes sensory input using prior knowledge and cognitive processes.