psych sensation test

perception

the way out brain interprets sensations

basic process of sensation

some for of energy stimulates a receptor cell in a sensory organ - receptor cell converts energy into neutral signal - signal coded and travels along sensory nerves - by the time it reaches the brain the message is precise

absolute threshold

small amount energy needed to generate a sensatio(everyone is diffrent)

diffrence threshold

minimal amount of change in a stimulus to notice a difference 

sensory adaptation

our sense adjust to the level of stimulation they are experiencing 

subliminal message

messages that fall below the threshold of conscious perception

cornea

protective layer

lens

where light moves through

iris

colored part of eye

retina

light sensitive inner lining at the back of the eyeball

fovea

images are focused here

do we have the ability to see different colors

yes

4 main colors

red/green/blue/yellow

colorblindness

partial or total inability to perceive hues

gestalt psychology

our brains like organization so it uses past experiences to make a whole from the sum of the parts its seeing

similarity

we see objects that are similar in shape, size, or color as being part of a pattern

proximity

when things are closer together we tend to see things together rather than separately 

closure

we tend to over look the things that are incomplete and perceive them as whole objects even when they don’t exist

continuity

items that continue a pattern or direction tend to be grouped together, even if they aren't meant to be 

frequency

number of cycles per second in a wave; expressed as hertz; we can hear 20HZ to 20,000 HZ

pitch 

how high or low a tone is; frequency is primary determination of it 

amplitude

the size of wave; determines loudness of sound

decibels

how loud a sound is is measured

ear drum

sound waves strike it causing it to vibrate; when hearing begins

bones in middle ear

hammer/anvi/stirrup

cochlea

vibrations cause it to stimulate hair cells in inner ear

tiny hair cells

receptors for hearing

hearing aids

amplify sounds by reducing background noise

surgery for impaired hearing

procedures can strengthen the connections between bones in middle ear

Cochlear implant 

electrodes inserted into cochlear of ear which takes c=place of tiny hair receptors

olfaction

sense of smell

odorants

molecules we perceive as smells

nasal cavity

hollow portion behind head behind nose; warms air/filters dust/houses sense of smell 

nasal epithelium

lining of nasal cavity 

olfactory bulb

organ which houses all the nerves which receive inputs from the olfactory receptors 

limbic system(emotion)

olfactory receptors are connected to it; smells can be links to both memories and emotions 

pheromones

a distinct smell from glands which are scientifically proven in animals but debated if humans have them 

taste/smell correlation

sense of smell increases the flavors within food

taste buds

cluster of receptors which detect flavor

saliva

helps break down food

5 flavors we can perceive

sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and savory

most comforting and therapeutic sense

touch

skin

largest sensory organ

epidermis

creates waterproof barrier and skin tone

dermis

contains connective tissue, hair follicles, and sweat glands

hypodermis

fat and connective tissue

functions of skin

protection/holds in bodily fluid/regulates internal temp/provides ability for sense of touch 

skin receptors

each individual receptor is responsible for picking up certain sensations

paradoxical heat/cold

touching a warm pipe and cold pipe at same time causes two sets of receptors to signal at once to the brain - the brain reads their combined pattern of firings as hot

skin senses

extremely sensitive and various parts of the body differ in sensitivity to pressure

pain

pain sensation is complex; sometimes physical harm isn’t accompanied by pain, but sometimes people can experience pain without an injury

left vs right brain

the hemispheres interpret things differently

perceptual constancy

tendency to perceive objects as unchanging so once we have a stable perception of an object we can recognize it from almost any angle 

factors that influence our preception

cultural background/values/motivation/personality/cognitive style