PSY 1010 101 Spr 25 - ohio university

exam 2

Sensations

Physical stimuli from the environment used to create understanding of the world

Perceptions

Psychological interpretation of those stimuli combined with prior knowledge of the world

Absolute Threshold

Minimum stimulus for 50% detection reliability.

Just Noticeable Difference

Minimum difference needed to detect stimulus change.

Transduction

Process where sensations are translated to electrochemical

(neural) messages for the brain

Interpretation

Complex process where many areas of the brain combine information and prior experience to understand the underlying sensations

Wavelength

Distance between light wave peaks, affects color.

Intensity

Brightness of light, determined by amplitude.

Cornea

Transparent front part of the eye.

Iris

Colored part of the eye controlling pupil size.

Pupil

Opening that regulates light entering the eye.

Lens

Focuses light onto the retina.

Retina

Layer of photoreceptors converting light to signals.

Fovea

Central area of retina for sharp vision.

Optic Nerve

Transmits visual information to the brain.

Cones

Photoreceptors for color vision.

Rods

Photoreceptors for low-light intensity.

Night Blindness

Difficulty seeing in low light conditions.

Color Blindness

Inability to perceive certain colors.

Tri-Chromatic Theory

vision occurs by comparing activation of the 3 types of cones for 3 primary colors

Opponent-Processing Theory

Six primary colors that the 3 types of cones perceive in pairs

Extraction

Breaking the message down into basic components for processing. from the eye, optic nerve, thalamus, occipital lobe.

Feature Detectors

Neurons processing specific visual information.

Gestalt Principles

Rules for organizing visual information.

Figure and Ground, Proximity, Similarity, Closure, Continuity, Common Fate

Amplitude

Sound wave height, relates to loudness.

Frequency

Sound wave cycles per second, relates to pitch.

Place Theory

Sound frequency determined by hair cell activation.

Olfactory Receptors

Cells detecting smell, send signals to brain. Messages sent to amygdala and hippocampus

Anosmia

Complete loss of sense of smell.

Gustatory Cells

Taste receptors activated by food molecules.

Supertasters

Individuals with heightened taste sensitivity.

Synesthesia

Intermingling of sensory perceptions.

Vestibular Sense

Balance and spatial orientation monitoring.

A-delta Fibers

Fast nerve fibers for sharp pain.

C Fibers

Slow nerve fibers for dull pain.

Gate Control Theory

Pain perception modulated by neural gates.

Consciousness

What you are aware of at any given moment.

Intentionality

We are conscious of something.

Unity

We combine our senses, experiences, thoughts, feelings.

Selectivity

We're able to focus our attention.

Transience

We constantly shift our attention.

Inattention Blindness

Failing to see an object/person when our attention is focused elsewhere (paying too much attention).

Change Blindness

Failing to notice changes in the environment (paying too little attention).

Sleep Duration

If you live 75 years, you will have slept for 25 years worth of that time.

Dreaming Duration

5 of those 25 years will consist of just dreaming.

Restorative Theory

Theory explaining why we sleep. To heal or restore our bodies.

Adaptive Theory

Theory explaining why we sleep. It is dark at night so we sleep since we can't see.

Sleep Cycle

Determined by brain waves. 90 minute cycles

Awake State

Characterized by Beta waves.

Drowsy State

Characterized by alpha waves.

Stage 1 Sleep

Characterized by Theta waves.

Stage 2 Sleep

Characterized by Theta waves and sleep spindles.

Stage 3 Sleep

Characterized by delta waves.

Stage 4 Sleep

Characterized by slow delta waves.

REM Sleep

Characterized by brain activity similar to beta waves.

Dreaming Theories

Psychodynamic Theory, Activation-Synthesis Theory, Computer Model Theory, Sensory Perspective, Cognitive Perspective.

Learning

A relatively permanent change in behavior that results from experience.

Classical Conditioning

Learning that one event signals another; A.K.A Learning through Association.

Operant Conditioning

Learning that Actions Produce Consequences.

Observational Learning

Learning by observing others.

Thorndike's Law of Effect

Behavior that leads to satisfying or pleasant consequences will be strengthened.

Reinforcement

Increases the response or behavior.

Punishment

Decreases the response or behavior.

Positive Reinforcement

Presentation of stimulus or consequence.

Negative Reinforcement

Removal of stimulus or consequence.

Fixed Schedule

Reinforcement is given every time the behavior occurs.

Variable Schedule

Reinforcement is given intermittently, not every time.

Fixed-interval schedule

Based on the amount of time before reinforcement. Type of responding- low, then high.

Variable-interval schedule

Also based on time, but varies from trial to trial. Slower but steady

Bandura, Ross and Ross(1961)

First part of the study, Children watch adults behave aggressively and then copy it. Second Part- Vicarious reinforcment