Lecture on Signal Detection Theory and Neuroscience

A set of flashcards summarizing key concepts from a lecture on Signal Detection Theory and related neuroscience topics.

What does D' (d-prime) measure in Signal Detection Theory?

D' measures discrimination ability or sensitivity.

What is a Hit rate in Signal Detection Theory?

Hit rate is the proportion of signals correctly identified (True Positives).

What does False Alarm Rate represent?

False Alarm Rate represents the proportion of noise incorrectly identified as signal (False Positives).

What are the functions of the Left Hemisphere of the brain?

Controls the right side of the body and perceives the right visual field; involved in language production and comprehension.

What is Double Dissociation in neuroscience?

Double Dissociation occurs when damage to area A impairs function X but not Y, while damage to area B impairs function Y but not X.

What is Blindsight?

Blindsight is the ability to respond to visual stimuli without conscious awareness, often seen after damage to the Primary Visual Cortex (V1).

What is Achromatopsia?

Achromatopsia is a condition arising from damage to V4, resulting in color blindness where the world appears in grayscale.

What is Akinetopsia?

Akinetopsia, caused by damage to V5/MT, is a form of motion blindness where one may see the world as a series of still frames.

What are the effects of damage to the Ventral Stream?

Damage to the Ventral Stream can lead to Apperceptive Agnosia (unable to form coherent percepts) and Associative Agnosia (can see objects but not recognize them).

What is Optic Ataxia?

Optic Ataxia is a condition resulting from damage to the Dorsal Stream, leading to difficulty with visually guided movements.

What is the Core principle of the Biased Competition Model of Attention?

Multiple stimuli compete for limited processing resources; this competition is influenced by both bottom-up and top-down factors.

What are the functions of the Central Executive in memory?

Directing attention, coordinating information, keeping goals active, switching tasks, and retrieving information from long-term memory.

Differentiate between Declarative Memory and Non-declarative Memory.

Declarative memory includes episodic and semantic memory; non-declarative memory includes procedural memory and classical conditioning.

What are phonemes?

Phonemes are the smallest units of sound that distinguish meaning in a language.

What is the significance of Sensitive Periods in learning?

Sensitive Periods are time windows when the brain is particularly receptive to environmental input, making learning easier.

Describe the process of Synaptic Transmission.

Action potential triggers neurotransmitter release from presynaptic terminal, leading to binding on post synaptic neuron, resulting in EPSP or IPSP.

What is Long-term Potentiation (LTP)?

LTP is a key mechanism for learning and memory, based on the Hebbian principle, where strong stimulation leads to changes in synaptic strength.