PSYCH CHAPTER 5 (Book)

Sensation

The detection of sensory stimulation.

Perception

The interpretation of what is sensed.

Constructivist Perspective

Argues that the newborn must construct an understanding of the world through experience with sensory inputs, emphasizing nurture.

Nativist Perspective

Believes that each person is born with some innate understanding of how to interpret sensory information, emphasizing nature.

Gibson's Ecological Theory

Proposes that everything needed to understand the world is available in the environment, highlighting the relationship between nature and nurture.

Habituation

A method of studying infant perception by measuring how an infant’s response decreases with repeated exposure to the same stimulus.

Evoked Potentials

A technique used to study brain responses to sensory stimuli.

Preferential Looking

A method where infants look longer at more interesting or novel stimuli.

Operant Conditioning Techniques

Methods used in studies of infant perception that rely on reinforcement to measure preferences or abilities.

Spatial Perception Development

Rapid development in infants, enabling them to perceive and avoid drop-offs by about 7 months.

Cross-modal Perception

The ability to recognize through one sense what was learned by a different sense, becoming more fully developed in childhood.

Dynamic Systems Theory

Explains the coupling of perception with action during significant developmental milestones, such as walking.

Presbycusis

Changes in hearing associated with aging, most notably leading to trouble detecting high-pitched sounds.

Sensitive Period

A crucial time frame in which certain experiences are necessary for normal sensory and perceptual development.

Cataracts

A visual change in older adults characterized by clouding of the lens.

Visual Acuity Decline

Thickening of the lens leading to decreased ability to see clearly, often due to aging.

Tinnitus

Ringing in the ears caused by loud noise exposure, which can be temporary or permanent.

Attention Control during Childhood

The ability to concentrate on tasks and selectively focus on relevant information improves with age.

Multitasking in Adolescents

A common behavior that can lead to less efficient learning of new information.

Aging and Sensory Thresholds

As individuals age, the amount of stimulation required for detection increases.