Chapter 4 AP Psych

Sensation

The process by which sensory receptors detect physical energy from the environment and convert it into neural signals.

Perception

The interpretation and organization of sensory information into meaningful experiences.

Visual Agnosia

A neurological condition where a person can see objects but cannot recognize or interpret them.

Light Wavelength

Determines color in visual perception.

Transduction

The conversion of physical stimuli (e.g., light, sound) into neural signals.

Cornea

Protective outer layer of the eye; helps focus light.

Pupil

Adjustable opening in the eye that controls light entry.

Rods

Visual receptor cells that detect black, white, and gray; important for peripheral and night vision.

Cones

Visual receptor cells that detect color and fine detail; function best in bright light.

Dark Adaptation

Increased sensitivity to light in low-light conditions.

Light Adaptation

Decreased sensitivity to light in bright conditions.

Trichromatic Theory of Color

Proposes three types of cones: red, green, and blue; colors are perceived by combining activity from these cones.

Color Blindness

Condition characterized by the inability to perceive color, which can be due to missing types of cones.

Gestalt Principles

Rules of perception for organizing sensory input, including figure-ground, proximity, closure, similarity, simplicity, and continuity.

Depth Perception

Ability to judge distance and spatial relationships.

Nearsightedness

Condition where distant objects appear blurry; light focuses in front of the retina.

Farsightedness

Condition where nearby objects appear blurry; light focuses behind the retina.

Pitch Theories

Theories explaining how we perceive pitch, including place theory and frequency theory.

Sensorineural Deafness

Loss of hearing due to damage to the cochlea or auditory nerve.

Conduction Deafness

Hearing loss resulting from damage to outer or middle ear structures.

Taste Buds

Sensory organs on the tongue that detect five primary tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, umami.

Olfactory Cilia

Hair-like structures that detect odor molecules.

Gate-Control Theory

Theory suggesting that pain signals are modulated by spinal gates that can block or allow signals to pass to the brain.

Absolute Threshold

Minimum stimulation needed to detect a stimulus 50% of the time.

Just Noticeable Difference (JND)

Smallest difference detectable between two stimuli.

Weber’s Law

Principle stating that the JND is a constant proportion of the original stimulus.

Pheromones

Chemical signals that affect the behavior or physiology of others, often subconsciously.

Synesthesia

Neurological condition where stimulation of one sense triggers perception in another.

Kinesthetic Sense

Awareness of body position and movement.

Selective Attention

Focusing on one stimulus while ignoring others.

Change Blindness

Failure to notice changes in a visual scene.

Inattentional Blindness

Failure to notice an unexpected stimulus when attention is focused elsewhere.

Afterimage

Visual sensation persisting after the original stimulus is removed.

Phantom Limb Syndrome

Sensation of a limb still being present after amputation, often accompanied by pain.