Lecture Notes on Sensation and Perception

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to sensation and perception, including definitions, theories, and distinctions relevant to the human sensory systems.

What are the characteristics of visible light?

Visible light is a small portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, ranging from blue-violet to red wavelengths.

How does light enter the eye?

Light enters through the cornea, passes through the pupil and iris, and is focused by the lens onto the retina.

What determines the hue we perceive in light?

The hue depends on the wavelength of the light.

What determines the brightness of light?

The brightness is determined by the intensity of the light.

What is transduction?

Transduction is the process of converting one form of energy into another that the brain can use.

What is the difference between sensation and perception?

Sensation is the process of receiving stimulus energies, while perception is the process of organizing and interpreting these stimuli.

What is bottom-up processing?

Bottom-up processing is sensory analysis that begins at the entry level and flows from sensory receptors to the brain.

What is top-down processing?

Top-down processing is information processing guided by higher mental processes, filtering information through experience and expectations.

What is the absolute threshold?

The absolute threshold is the minimum stimulation necessary to detect a stimulus 50% of the time.

What is the difference threshold (just noticeable difference)?

The difference threshold is the minimum difference between two stimuli needed for detection 50% of the time.

What is Weber's law?

Weber's law states that to be perceived as different, two stimuli must differ by a constant minimum percentage.

What is signal detection theory?

Signal detection theory predicts how and when we will detect faint stimuli amid background noise.

How do subliminal stimuli affect us?

Subliminal stimuli are below our absolute threshold for conscious awareness but can still influence our behaviors.

What is sensory adaptation?

Sensory adaptation is our diminished sensitivity to constant stimuli, allowing us to focus on changes.

How does context influence perception?

Context shapes how we interpret stimuli based on our surroundings and previous experiences.

What are the four basic touch sensations?

The four basic touch sensations are pressure, warmth, cold, and pain.

What is the function of nociceptors?

Nociceptors detect hurtful temperatures, pressure, or chemicals related to pain.

How do we locate sounds?

We locate sounds by analyzing differences in intensity and timing between the sounds reaching both ears.

What are the basic sensations of taste?

The basic taste sensations are sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami.

What is olfaction?

Olfaction is the sense of smell, detected by molecules reaching receptor cells in the nasal cavity.

What is the vestibular sense?

The vestibular sense is our sense of balance, relying on structures in the inner ear.

What is embodied cognition?

Embodied cognition is the influence of bodily sensations, gestures, and other states on cognitive preferences and judgments.

What is the difference between conduction hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss?

Conduction hearing loss is due to mechanical damage in sound transmission, while sensorineural hearing loss is caused by damage to cochlear receptor cells or auditory nerves.

What role does the cochlea play in hearing?

The cochlea converts sound waves into neural impulses that the auditory nerve sends to the brain.

What is the main function of the auditory cortex?

The auditory cortex processes sound information after it is transmitted from the thalamus.

What is the role of hair cells in hearing?

Hair cells in the cochlea bend in response to sound waves, triggering impulse generation in the auditory nerve.

What influences our perception of pain?

Pain perception is influenced by biological factors, psychological factors, and social-cultural factors.

How does distraction help control pain?

Distraction can shift focus away from pain, which can reduce perceptions of discomfort and aid in management.

What is the function of place theory in hearing?

Place theory explains how we perceive high-pitched sounds based on the location where the cochlea's membrane is stimulated.

What is frequency theory in auditory perception?

Frequency theory states that the rate of nerve impulses traveling up the auditory nerve matches the frequency of a tone, allowing us to sense pitch.

What is the volley principle?

The volley principle states that neural cells can alternate firing, which allows for high-frequency sound perception.

What is the social-cultural influence on pain perception?

We perceive more pain when others are experiencing pain, often influenced by empathy.

What is the stimulus in hearing?

The stimulus in hearing is sound waves, which our ears detect as changes in air pressure.

Why are cochlear implants significant?

Cochlear implants convert sounds into electrical signals to stimulate the auditory nerve, restoring hearing in some individuals.