AP PSYCH SENSATION AND PERCEPTION

Sensation

Physical event of detecting stimulus

Perception

Interpretation of stimuli

Different threshold

The dividing point between intensities of stimulus

Absolute threshold

The minimum amount of detectable stiumlus

Fechner’s law

Perceived intensity of stimulus increase as the physical intensity increases

Webers law

Just noticeable difference

Signal detection theory

Detect ion of stimuli, involves sensory processes and frame of mind

Sensory adaptation

Decline in sensitivity due to prolonged stimulation

Amplitude

Brightness/intensity

Frequency

Color and energy

Purity

Saturation

Where are visual images processed?

Occipital lobe

Top down processing

uses previous knowledge to interpret sensory information

Bottom up processing

Uses new information to build perception

Feature analysis

Break down complex objects or scene into individual objects (type of bottom up)

Feature detectors

Nerve cells that respond to selective creatures of an image (lines, edges, curves)

Gestalt Psychology

Wholes are greater than sum of parts (we see units instead of individual)

Phi phenomenon

Illusion based on rapid stimuli

Molecular depth cues

Uses on eye to perceive (relative size, texture gradient, relative height)

Binocular depth cues

Uses both eyes to perceive (convergence, retinal disparity)

Opponent process theory

Ppl. perceive color by 3 opposing systems; color pairs

Trichromatic theory

States human eye has 3 types of cells that respond to colors

A perceptual set

Mental predisposition to perceive things based on past influences

Distal stimulus

The object or event is being perceived in the environment

Proximinal stimulus

Physical stimulus (real)

Gustation

Sense of taste

Olfaction

Sense of smell

Sensations for touch

Pressure, pain, temperature, vibration

Subliminal perception

The process of info being perceived below conscious threshold