AP Psychology: Unit 2 BC

Parallel Processing

processing multiple aspects of a stimulus simultaneously
(faster and more automatic type of processing

Sequential Processing

the processing of one aspect of a problem at a time; used when we focus attention on new or complex tasks

Blindsight

a condition in which a person can respond to a visual stimulus without consciously experiencing it

circadian rhythm

cycles that are repeated about every 24 hours (sleep)

Sensory receptors

sensory nerve endings that respond to stimuli

Bottom-Up processing

analysis that begins with the sensory receptors and works up to the brain's integration of sensory information

Top-Down processing

the use of preexisting knowledge to organize individual features into a unified whole

Transduction

conversion of one form of energy into another. In sensation, the transforming of stimulus energies, such as sights, sounds, and smells, into neural impulses our brains can interpret

What are the 3 steps of transduction?

1. receive sensory stimulation
2. transform into neural impulses
3. deliver information to brain

Psychophysics

The study of how physical stimuli are translated into psychological experience.

Signal Detection Theory

a theory predicting how and when we detect the presence of a faint stimulus (signal) amid background stimulation (noise). Assumes there is no single absolute threshold and that detection depends partly on a person's experience, expectations, motivation, and alertness.

absolute threshold

the minimum amount of stimulation needed to detect a particular stimulus 50 percent of the time

Subliminal perception

the registration of sensory input without conscious awareness(below absolute threshold)

Priming

the activation, often unconsciously, of certain associations, thus predisposing one's perception, memory, or response

difference threshold (just noticeable difference)

the minimum difference between two stimuli required for detection 50% of the time

Sensory adaptation

a gradual decline in sensitivity to prolonged unchanging stimulation

Weber's Law

the size of a difference threshold is a constant proportion of the size of the initial stimulus. Applies to all senses: as size of stimulus increases, just noticeable different increases

Synesthesia

when your brain routes sensory information through multiple unrelated senses, causing you to experience more than one sense simultaneously

wavelength

the distance between peaks of wave (tells the hue/color)

Hue

(color) the dimension of color that is determined by the wavelength of light

Intensity

the amount of energy in a light or sound wave, which influences what we perceive as brightness or loudness (determined by amplitude)

Cornea

light enters eye through cornea (window), is the clear protective outer layer covering the pupil and iris

Pupil

opening in the center of the iris that helps regulate the amount of light passing into the rear chamber of the eye

Iris

colored ring of muscle surrounding the pupil, controls the size of the pupil opening

Lens

neural tissue lining the inside back surface if the eye, absorbs light, processes images and sends visual information to brain

Accommodation

to focus rays, the lens changes its curvature and thickness

Rods

play a role in night vision and peripheral vision

Cones

play a role in daylight and color vision, provide better visual acuity

Optic Nerve

lets your eyes send signals to brain

Ganglion cells

conveys information from other retinal neurons to the rest of the brain

Blind Spot

where no receptors cells are located, other eye usually compensates for the other's blindspot

Fovea

tiny spot in the center of the retina that contains only cones, visual acuity is greatest at this spot

Young-Helmholtz Theory (Trichromatic Theory)

color vision depends on the relative responses of three types of cones(RBG)

Consciousness

Our awareness of ourselves and our environment.

Sleep Cycle

A period of sleep lasting about 90 minutes and including one or more stages of NREM sleep, followed by REM sleep

REM Sleep behavior disorder

A recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur. Also known as paradoxical sleep, because the muscles are relaxed (except for minor twitches) but other body systems are active.

Alpha Waves

The relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state.

Delta Waves

The large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep

Insomnia

Recurring problems in falling or staying asleep.

Narcolepsy

A sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks. The sufferer may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times.

Sleep Apnea

A sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings.

Manifest Content

According to Freud, the remembered story line of a dream.

Latent Content

According to Freud, the underlying meaning of a dream.

REM Rebound

The tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation.

REM Sleep

rapid eye movement sleep, a recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur. Also known as paradoxical sleep, because the muscles are relaxed (except for minor twitches) but other body systems are active.

NREM sleep

no rapid eye movement include 3 stages(N1, N2, N3)

Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN)

decrease production of melatonin found in the hypothalamus

Hypnagogic Sensations

alien abduction, recall floating away

Hallucinations

sensory experiences that occur with a sensory stimulus

Cognitive Neuroscience

interaction of individual brain events

Place Theory

suggests frequencies stimulate the basilar membrane at specific places resulting in perceived pitch

Conduction Hearing Loss

less common for, of hearing loss caused by damage to the mechanical system that connects sound waves to the cochlea

Feature Detector

nerve cells, in the visual cortex, respond to specific features, such as edges, angles, line and movement

Cochlear Implant

a device for connecting sounds into electrical signals and stimulatory the auditory nerve through electronics threaded into the cochlea

Vestibular Sense

monitors the head(and the body’s) positions, body movement, that enables our sense of balance

Sensation

the process by which our sensory receptors and nervous system receive and represent stimulus energies from our environment

Inner Ear

innermost part of the ear, containing the cochlea semicircular canals and vestibular senses

Opponent-Processing Theory

4 primary colors combined in pairs: Red-green, blue-yellow, and black-white

Kinesthesis

our movement sense; our system for sensing the position and movement of individual body parts

Gustation

sense of taste

Gate-Control Theory

spinal cord contains neurological ‘gates’ that either block pain or allow it to be sensed

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

hearing loss caused by damage to the cochlea’s receptor cells or to the auditory nerve(nerve defense)

Cochlea

coiled, bony, fluid-filled tube in the inner ear that transforms sound vibrations to auditory signals

Frequency

the number of complete wavelengths that pass a point in a given time

Audition

sense of hearing

Frequency Theory

suggests the rate of neural impulses traveling up the auditory nerve matches the frequency of a tone, thus enabling us to sense its pitch

olfaction

sense of smell

Pitch

a tone’s experimental highness or lowness, depends on frequency

Embodied cognition

the influence of bodily sensations, gestures, and other states on cognitive pretense and judgements