sensation
bringing in sensory stimuli from the environment (to the brain)
perception
organization and interpretation of sensory info
synesthesia
"cross talk" of the senses
absolute threshold
minimum amount of energy needed to detect the presence of a stimulus. lower threshold = more sensitive
just noticeable difference (jnd)( AKA the difference threshold)
minimum amount of energy needed to detect the change in intensity of a stimulus (or notice the difference between stimuli)
Weber's Law
JND is a fixed porportion (%) of the intensity of stimulis (as the inital increases, the JND will also increase)
Signal detection theory
Theory predicting out ability to detect a stimulis "signal" is present (Accuracy) amid backround "noise" and factors that influence it.
signal detection theory outcomes (Hit, miss, false alarm, correct rejection)
hit- present stimulus, present response miss- present stimulus absent response false alarm-absent stimulus present response correct rejection- absent stimulus absent response
factors that influence detection/response criterion
-"noise"-other neural firing (distractions) -physical ability (sensitivity) -expectations -where attention is directed -willingness/reluctance (response criterion)
Subliminal perception
-processing info without consious awaness -subliminal stimuli = below absolute threshold (not aware)
priming
occurs when exposure to a stimulus (consciously or unconsciously) influences our perception (uncons.)
sensory adaption
decline in sensitivity to stimuli that are presented a constant level (our afferent neurons become less responsive)
transduction (+steps)
converting energy into neural impulses steps:
sensory stimuli from env.
accessory structure
transduction at sensory receptors
thalamus (except smell)
appropriate part of cerebral cortex.
temporal vs spatial coding
temporal code - changes in neural activity rates or timing
spatial code- physical location of neuron activity
Characteristics of light (how do they translate to psychological characteristics?) 1. amplitude 2. wavelenghts 3. purity
physical characteristics
amplitude
wavelength
purity (#of different wavelengths)
Psychological characteristics
Brightness /intensity
color / hue
saturation (fewer differnt wavelengths = more saturated / pure)
Visual Process (include ALL parts)
light wave
cornea (outer protective layer)
iris (colored muscle that adjusts pupil) + pupil (opening to the eye; lets light in)
lens (focuses image on retina; accessory structure for vision).
Image is converted onto the retina
Retina (back wall of the eye; contains photoreceptors [ rods and cones ] where transduction occurs)
photoreceptors (rods and cones ~ sensory receptors for vision) responsible for transduction. 8.bi polar cells (receive visual signals from photo receptors [ rods and cones ] help us to see contrast and edges. )
ganglion cells (signals sent from the bipolar cells to the ganglion cells.
axons of the ganglion cells bundle together to form the optic nerve.
optic disk (Where optic nerve leaves the eye) *blind spot
thalamus (All the senses except for smell)
occipital lobe (visual cortex)
Accomodation
the ability of the lens to bend light rays in order to focus the image ( based on the object's location) on the retina.
Near sightedness (myopia)
occurs when the lends BENDS TOO MUCH. The image falls in front of the retina
far sightedness (hyperopia)
occurs when the lens does not bend ENOUGH. the image falls behind the retina.
photo receptors
located in the retina sensory receptors for vision ~ responsible for transduction (Rods and cones are examples)
Cones (type of photo receptors)
Color vision, help us to see in the daytime, brighter light, located on the center of the retina
Fovea
Center of the retina; contains highest concentration of cones; greatest visual acuity (detail)
Rods (type of photo receptors)
black and white; (shades of grey); help us to see in dark/dim light; located on the outer edge of the retina, so they are responsible for peripheral vision.
Bipolar cells
receive visual signals from photo receptors (rods and cones) help us to see contrast and edges
ganglion cells
signals sent from bipolar cells to the ganglion cells. axons of the ganglion cells bundle together to form the optic nerve .
optic disk and optic nerve
the optic nerve leaves the eye at the optics disk
blindspot
where the optic nerve leaves the eye. there are no rods / cones which creates a blindspot
optic chiasm
location where the optic nerve of each eye crosses over to the other hemisphere
Lateral Geniculate nucleus (LGN)
A specific place in the thalamus that processes visual info
Feature detectors
specialized cells that respond selectively to specific features or more complex stimuli (ex: edges, lines, angles, etc)
parallel processing
processing visual info is done simultaneously (as opposed to serial processing)
prosopagnosia
the inability to recognize human faces (Sometimes known as face blindness)
additive color mixing vs subtractive color mixing
Additive Color mixing Light: as you mix light waves together, the color gets lighter. all together = white
Subtractive color mixing: paints: as you mix colors together, the color gets darker. all together = black
young-helmholtz trichromatic theory
there are 3 types of receptors (cones) with differing sensitivities to different wavelengths that can create all colors (red, green, blue)
color blindness + what theory does it support?
lack one of the 3 (or more in rare cases) types of cones. (are able to discriminate fewer colors than other people.)
supports the young Helmholtz theory of color vision
opponent process theory
color perception is determined by the activity of 3 opponent systems; yellow-blue, red-green, and black white.
after images
an image continuing to appear in one's vision after the exposure to the original image has been creating (supports the opponent process theory of color vision)
figure-ground processing
foreground + focus background + unfocused
perceptual set
the tendancy to percieve a stimuli in a particular way guided by prior experiences, expectations, surroundings/context, current mood
intentional blindness and change blindness
failure to see visible objects or events (or change in enviornment)because ones attention is elsewhere. Or we stopped proccessing due to top down processing
bottom-up processing
using details/feautures/characteristics (sensory input) to guide our perception (understand our world)
top-down processing
using prior experiences, expectations, context to guide perception. (understand our world). we make quick assumptions using very little "evidence" (Sensory input)
Gestalt principles-proximity
objects close to eachother are close together
gestalt principles- similiarity
grouping based on like characteristics
visual cliff
the approaches used to test depth perception in infants
Binocular depth cues:
retinal (binocular) disparity (difference)
depth perception guided by the different images seen by each eye. (the larger the disparity, the closer the object is perceived to be)
Binocular depth cues: convergence
sensing the eyes converging (turning inwards) as they focus on closer objects
Monocular depth cues: linear perspective
parallel lines "converge" in the distance
Monocular depth cues: texture gradient
more detail = closer
Monocular depth cues: interposition (closer = bigger)
closer objects partially block (overlap) further away
Monocular depth cues: relative size
larger on the retina = closer
Monocular depth cues: height in the plane
near objects = lower in visual field
Monocular depth cues: light and shadow
3D
Monocular depth cues: motion parallax
objects that are closer to us speed across visual field faster than objects further away.
Phi phenomenon / stroboscopic motion
illusion of movement created by presenting visual stimuli in rapid succession
sensation -> perception
looming
as image expands on our retina, we percieve the object as approaching us.
perceptual constancies (size, shape, brightness)
tendency to experience a stable perception despite changing sensory inputs.
characteristics of sound ( how do they translate to psyhcological characteristics?) 1.amplitude 2. wavelength 3. purity
loudness /intensity/volume(decibels)
pitch (hertz) 3.timbre (unique quality of sound)
Sensory processing in the ear (include ALL parts)
soundwave
pinna (outer ear) ~ accessory structure for audition
ear canal
tympanic membrane (eardrum ~ vibrations occur)
3 little bones (malleus-hammer, incus-anvil, stapes-stirrup)
oval window
cochlea * where transduction occurs)
basilar membrane lined with cilia hairs * ~ responsible for transduction (sensory receptors for transduction)
auditory nerve
thalamus
temporal lobe (auditory cortex)
place theory
perception of pitch corresponds to the vibration of different portions, or locations/places along the basliar membrane (spatial code)
best explaines high frequency sounds. (spatial code)
frequency theory
perception of pitch corresponds to the firing rate or frequency at which basilar membranes vibrates. (or firing rate of the neurons or the auditory nerve)
best explains low frequency sounds (temporal code)
conduction deafness
problems/damage to the three little bones or tympanic membrane. ( may be corrected with hearing aids)
sensorineural deafness
problems/damage to the cilia (hair cells) or auditory nerve (may be corrected with a cochlear implant or auditory nerve implant). ~ too much exposure to loud songs
gustation ( is the sense of.... )
taste
olfaction
sense of smell, cilia (hair cells) in the nose
taste buds (papillae)
other factors that influence flavor
papillae/taste buds contain sensory receptors for taste and there are four tastes; sweet, sour, bitter, salty.
taste buds are the most sensitive to 1 or 2 tastes and weak to others
flavor is a combination of what 2 senses??
taste and smell
olfactory bulb
cilia in the nose send signals to the olfactory bulb in the brain *does not go through thalamus first (part of limbic system)
vomeronasal organ
part of the nose that detects pheromones
pheromones
chemicals that shape the behavior / physiology of animals.
somatosensory system (touch)
what are the 3 types of touch receptors?
pressure, pain, temperature
A-delta fibers (fast pathway) v.s C-fibers (slow pathway)
a delta fibers - carry quick , localized, sharp pain signals
c fibers- carry chronic (longer lasting),dull,less localized, aches and burning pain signals
gate control theory
pain can be blocked at the spinal cord. other sensory info aside from signals can take over the pain pathway.
analgesia
inability to feel pain (when pain should be present)
vestibular sense
sensory system providing info about spacial orientation (position of head/body in space) as well as our sense of balance.
kinesthesia
coordination
sensory system providing info about where parts of your body are in relationship to each other providing use with our sense of coordination. (ability to sense the movement of muscles, tendons, and joints)