Lesson 9 - Physiology and Psychophysics

Materialism

Philosophy emphasizing physical processes over dualism.

Immanuel Kant

Philosopher influencing interest in the nervous system.

Phenomenal world

Individual perception shaped by sensory experiences.

Nerve conduction

Transmission of electrical signals through nerves.

Nerve acuity

Sensitivity of nerves affecting perception and reaction.

Faculty psychology

Theory of brain areas dedicated to specific functions.

Charles Bell

Pioneer in studying nerve functions and anatomy.

Francois Magendie

Contributed to understanding of nerve physiology.

Johannes Müller

Physiologist known for research on nerve sensitivity.

Vitalism

Belief in a life force beyond physical processes.

Specific Nerve Energies

Theory that nerves convey distinct sensations.

Sensory nerves

Nerves responsible for transmitting sensory information.

Sensory acuity

Ability to perceive stimuli with precision.

The Handbook of Human Physiology

Müller's influential text on sensory nerves.

Hermann von Helmholtz

Materialist who studied with Johannes Müller.

Helmholtz Oath

Commitment to materialist principles in science.

Reaction time

Duration for a response to a stimulus.

Nerve conductivity

Efficiency of nerve signal transmission.

Light energy

Stimulus most effective for the eye.

Pressure

Primary stimulus for skin sensory nerves.

Categories of thought

Kant's concept of mental frameworks for perception.

Experimental psychology

Scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

Helmholtz's Oath

Only physical-chemical forces explain organism processes.

Conservation of Energy

Study of energy preservation in physical systems.

Ophthalmoscope

Instrument invented to examine the retina.

Nerve Conduction Rate

Measured at approximately ninety feet per second.

Trichromatic Theory

Theory explaining color vision via three receptors.

Resonance Place Theory

Sound perception based on frequency and location.

Johannes Müller

Mentor who believed in instantaneous nerve conduction.

Handbook of Physiological Optics

Helmholtz's work on vision and optics (1856-1866).

Theory of Tone Sensation

Physiological basis for music theory (1863).

Academic Appointment

Helmholtz appointed at University of Königsberg.

Prussian Government

Released Helmholtz from military duty for academia.

Empiricism

Philosophical view emphasizing knowledge through experience.

Materialistic Psychology

Approach influenced by Helmholtz's laboratory work.

German Rationalism

Philosophical view accepting an active mind.

Color Receptors

Cells in retina responding to red, green, blue.

Cochlea

Inner ear structure involved in sound perception.

Sympathetic Vibration

Receptor cell vibration matching sound wave frequency.

Columbia Exhibition

Event in Chicago where Helmholtz participated in 1893.

Ennoblement

Honor received by Helmholtz from German emperor.

Helmholtz's Lectures

Noted for being difficult and unengaging.

Helmholtz's Death

Died from a stroke after ship accident.

Frog Legs Experiment

Tested nerve conduction using frog legs.

Ewald Hering

German MD known for vision research.

Binocular Vision

Vision processed using both eyes simultaneously.

Color Vision Theory

Hering's explanation involving three eye receptors.

Receptors for Color

Red-green, yellow-blue, white-black receptors identified.

Catabolic Effect

Red, yellow, white colors increase energy.

Anabolic Effect

Green, blue, black colors decrease energy.

Gray Perception

Occurs when catabolic and anabolic processes combine.

Christine Ladd-Franklin

Pioneer in evolutionary psychology and color vision.

Monochrome Vision

Vision in black and white only.

Evolutionary Color Vision

Theory suggesting color vision evolved later.

Fovea

Eye region with highest visual acuity.

Peripheral Vision

Vision outside the direct line of sight.

Rods and Cones

Retinal cells for night vision and color.

Phrenology

Study linking brain regions to psychological functions.

Franz Joseph Gall

Anatomist who founded phrenology.

Faculty Psychology

Theory that brain regions govern specific functions.

Johann Kaspar Spurzheim

Gall's assistant who popularized phrenology.

Emotional Faculties

Spurzheim identified 21 brain regions for emotions.

Intellectual Faculties

Spurzheim identified 14 brain regions for intellect.

Fowler Brothers

Promoters of phrenology after Spurzheim's death.

Comparative Anatomy

Study comparing anatomical structures across species.

Political Activism

Ladd-Franklin's family background in women's rights.

Phrenology

Study of skull shape to assess personality traits.

Orson Fowler

Co-founder of phrenology clinics in the 1830s.

Lorenzo Fowler

Co-founder of phrenology clinics alongside Orson.

American Phrenology Journal

Publication founded in 1838, lasted over 70 years.

Two-point threshold

Minimum distance for perceiving two separate stimuli.

Just noticeable difference (jnd)

Smallest detectable difference between two stimuli.

Weber's Law

Quantitative relationship between stimulus and perception.

Paul Broca

Noted for research in brain and language.

Carl Wernicke

Known for studies on language comprehension.

Gustav Fechner

Pioneer in experimental psychology and psychophysics.

Naturphilosophie

Philosophical movement blending science and mysticism.

Mechanistic model

View of the universe governed by physical laws.

Materialism

Philosophy denying the existence of non-physical entities.

Night view

Fechner's term for materialism and physicalism.

Day view

Fechner's concept of mind, spirit, and consciousness.

Kinesthesis

Sense of body position and movement.

Mental breakdown

Severe psychological distress leading to functional impairment.

Spiritual explanation

Interpretation of illness as a moral failing.

Color vision experiments

Fechner's studies on perception of colors.

Free will

Belief in human agency and choice.

Volition

The power of using one's will.

Mystic influence

Spiritual guidance impacting Fechner's recovery.

Spinoza's double-aspect view

Mind and body are two aspects of reality.

Mind-body problem

Philosophical issue of mental and physical interaction.

Harmony between worlds

Fechner perceived unity in mental and physical realms.

Psychophysics

Study of relationship between stimuli and sensations.

Stimulus intensity

Strength of a stimulus affecting perception.

Absolute threshold

Minimum stimulus intensity detectable by senses.

Just noticeable difference (jnd)

Smallest change in stimulus detectable.

Fechner's Law

Mathematical relationship between stimulus and sensation.

Elements of Psychophysics

Fechner's work detailing psychophysical measurements.

k (constant in jnd)

Fraction determining sensitivity for each sense.

Logarithmic relationship

Sensation intensity equals log of stimulus intensity.

Experimental aesthetics

Field quantifying reactions to art.