Sensory Transduction, Absolute/Different Threshold, Signal Detection, & Sensory Adaptation

absolute threshold

the minimum stimulation needed to detect a particular stimulus 50 percent of the time. Example: If you can hear a firetruck before your brother, your ___ is lower for sound than your brothers

difference threshold

the minimum difference between two stimuli required for detection 50 percent of the time. We experience this as a just noticeable difference.Example: being able to hear when the volume of a sound gets louder

signal detection theory

a theory predicting how and when we detect the presence of a faint stimulus amid background stimulation. Assumes that there is no absolute threshold and that detection depends partly on a person's experience, expectations, motivation, and alertness

sensory adpatation

diminished sensitivity as a consequence of constant stimulation. Example: you don’t notice the feeling of your underwear over time

transduction

conversion of one form of energy into another. In sensation, the transforming of stimulus energies, such as sights, sounds, and smells, into neural impulses our brain can interpret