Sensation and Perception

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to sensation and perception.

Sensation

The process of detecting physical energy (stimuli) from the environment and converting it into neural signals.

Absolute Threshold

The minimum amount of stimulation needed to detect a stimulus half the time.

Difference Threshold (Just Noticeable Difference - JND)

The smallest change in stimulation needed to detect a change half the time.

Weber's Law

The difference threshold is proportional to the intensity of the original stimulus.

Subliminal Threshold

A stimulus at a level at which the participant is not aware of it being presented.

Signal Detection Theory

The theory explaining how we detect a faint stimulus in the presence of background noise.

Sensory Adaptation

The process by which our senses become less sensitive to a constant stimulus over time.

Habituation

A decrease in response to a repeated stimulus due to learning.

Cornea

The clear, curved front of the eye that begins focusing light.

Iris

The colored part of the eye that controls the size of the pupil.

Pupil

The opening in the iris that lets light enter the eye.

Lens

A transparent structure that focuses light onto the retina.

Retina

The light-sensitive inner surface of the eye containing photoreceptor cells.

Rods

Photoreceptors that detect black, white, and gray, and are responsible for peripheral and night vision.

Cones

Photoreceptors that detect color and are responsible for sharp, detailed vision.

Hue

The dimension of color we experience, determined by the wavelength of light.

Nearsightedness (Myopia)

A vision problem where distant objects appear blurred due to an elongated eyeball.

Farsightedness (Hyperopia)

A vision problem where close objects appear blurred due to a shortened eyeball.

Feature Detectors

Specialized neurons in the visual cortex that respond to specific visual aspects.

Trichromatic Theory

The theory that the retina has three types of cones sensitive to red, green, and blue light.

Color Constancy

The ability to perceive an object's color as relatively constant under varying lighting.

Frequency (Pitch)

Determined by the wavelength of the sound wave, indicating how high or low a sound is.

Cochlea

A snail-shaped, fluid-filled tube in the inner ear responsible for converting vibrations into neural signals.

Place Theory

The theory that different pitches activate specific areas on the cochlea's basilar membrane.

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Hearing loss caused by damage to hair cells in the cochlea due to loud sounds.

Sensorineural Deafness

Hearing loss due to damage to the cochlea's hair cells or the auditory nerve.

Gustation

The sense of taste, which involves taste buds detecting chemicals in food.

Olfaction

The sense of smell, where odor molecules bind to receptors in the nasal cavity.

Kinesthesis

The sense of body position and movement of individual parts.

Vestibular Sense

The sense of balance and head position, located in the inner ear.