Sensation and Perception

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts related to sensation and perception, aiding in the review of critical information for upcoming exams.

Sensation

The process by which sensory receptors and the nervous system receive and detect stimuli from the environment.

Perception

The process by which the brain organizes and interprets sensory information.

Transduction

The conversion of one form of energy into another, such as transforming sensory stimuli into neurological impulses.

Absolute Threshold

The minimum amount of stimulation needed to detect a particular stimulus 50% of the time.

Subliminal Messages

Stimuli that are below the threshold of conscious perception, often used in marketing to influence consumers without their awareness.

Sensory Adaptation

The process by which sensory receptors become less sensitive to constant stimuli.

Perceptual Set

A mental predisposition to perceive one thing and not another, influenced by expectations and experiences.

Top Down Processing

An approach to perception that starts with the bigger picture or preexisting knowledge and uses that to interpret individual features.

Bottom Up Processing

An approach to perception that begins with individual sensory features and builds up to the complete perception.

Selective Attention

The process of focusing on a particular object in the environment for a certain period of time, while ignoring other stimuli.

Depth Perception

The ability to perceive the distance of objects and see the world in three dimensions.

Binocular Cues

Visual information taken in by two eyes that enables us a sense of depth and distance.

Perceptual Adaptation

The ability to adjust to an altered visual field, making the world seem normal again.

Kinesthesis

The sense that provides the brain with information about body position and movement.

Vestibular Sense

The sense that helps regulate balance and spatial orientation in the body, associated with the inner ear.