Thresholds and Signal Detection Theory

Absolute Threshold

Minimum stimulation needed for detection

Difference Threshold

Minimum difference between stimuli

Just Noticeable Difference

Perceptible difference between stimuli

Weber's Law

Law that states the difference threshold is proportional to the magnitude of the stimulus

Signal Detection Theory

Theory that predicts how we detect the presence of a faint signal amid background stimulation

subliminal

below the level of consciousness

sensory adaptation

a decrease in sensitivity to a constant level of stimulation

Transduction

conversion of one form of energy into another

Cornea

light is entering and protects the eyes

pupil

adjustable opening in the center of the eye

iris

Colored part of the eye

retina

Light sensitive layer of the eye; contains rods and cones

acuity

sharpness of vision

optic nerve

carries neural impulses from the eye to the brain

blind spot

the point at which the optic nerve leaves the eye and has no receptors

feature detectors

nerve cells in the brain that respond to specific features such as shape, angle, or movement

parallel processing

simultaneous processing of several aspects of a problem simultaneously

3 color theory

we only see red blue green

opponent-process theory

opposing retinal processes enable color vision

outer ear

pinna, auditory canal, eardrum

middle ear

hammer, anvil, stirrup

inner ear

cochlea

place theory

the theory that links the pitch we hear with the place where the cochlea's membrane is stimulated

frequency theory

theory of pitch that states that pitch is related to the speed of vibrations in the basilar membrane

conduction deafness

bones of the ear becomes ridgid and can tcarry sound

sensorineural deafness

when hair cells are flatten in the cochlea

taste and smell

chemical

smell

hippocampus

kinesthesis

the sense of movement and body position

change blindness

failing to notice changes in the environment

visual capture

the tendency for vision to dominate the other senses

ESP

6th sense

Gestalt

grouping

binocular cues

2 eyes retinal disparity and convergence

monocular cues

relative size, interposition, relative clarity, texture gradient, relative height, relative motion, linear perspective, relative brightness

motion perception

phi phenomenon, stroboscopic movement

stroboscopic movement

flipbook

phi phenomenon

times square

perpetual constancy

color, shape, size doesnt change

Perceptual Interpretation

perceptual adaptation and perceptual set

perceptual adaptation

ability to adjust from prism glasses

perceptual set

a mental predisposition to perceive one thing and not another