Senses

Top Down Processing

Uses higher level cognitive processing such as expectations and prior knowledge to interpret incoming stimuli.

Bottom Up Processing

Taking in raw sensory information and processing it without the need for prior knowledge or expectations.

Absolute Threshold

The smallest detectable threshold.

Difference Threshold

Detectable difference in stimulus.

Signal Detection

Measures the ability to detect stimulus from surrounding stimuli (noise).

Sensory Adaptation

The way our senses adjust to different stimuli, such as eyes dilating in dark environments.

Selective Attention

Focusing on the main object while ignoring background objects.

Visible Light Spectrum

Humans can see visible light ranging from 400-700 nm.

Normal Vision

Light focuses directly on the retina (20/20 vision).

Nearsightedness (Myopia)

Light focuses in front of the retina, causing distant objects to appear blurry.

Farsightedness (Hyperopia)

Light focuses behind the retina, causing close objects to appear blurry.

Colors Detected by Cone Cells

Red, blue, and green are the three basic colors involved in vision.

Figure Ground Relationships

The relationship between a subject (figure) and its background.

Grouping Principles

Rules the brain uses to organize visual elements: proximity, similarity, continuity, closure, and connectedness.

Depth Perception

Ability to see objects in three dimensions.

Binocular Depth Cues

Cues that require two eyes to perceive depth.

Monocular Depth Cues

Cues that can be perceived with one eye, such as relative size.

Motion and Vision

Motion creates depth and direction cues aiding in spatial understanding.

Perceptual Constancy

Tendency for objects to maintain the same shape, size, and color despite changes in perspective.

Decibel

A unit that measures sound intensity.

Hertz

A unit that measures sound frequency.

Hearing Process

Sound waves are directed to the eardrum, causing vibrations that travel through the ear to be interpreted by the brain.

Tinnitus

Constant ringing in the ears caused by stress, damage, age, or illness; no cure exists but treatments may help.

Four Basic Tastes

Sweet, sour, bitter, and salty.

Texture and Taste

The texture of food can affect the perception of its taste.

How You Smell

Odor molecules stimulate the nasal cavity, sending signals to the brain.

Four Basic Skin Senses

Touch, pressure, temperature, and pain.

Kinesthetic Sense (Proprioception)

Awareness of the position and movement of body parts, facilitated by receptors in muscles and joints.

Vestibular Sense

Sense of balance and spatial orientation, detected by the inner ear.

Tricking the Senses

Senses can be tricked through methods like optical illusions and virtual reality.

Difference Between Perception and Sensation

Sensation is raw data input; perception is the brain's interpretation of that input.

What do rod cells do

In the retina, responsible for helping us see in dim light

What do cone cells do

Cone cellsare responsible for color vision and function best in bright light.