AP Psychology Unit 3 Review

Sensation

Sensation

Raw data from our five senses.

Perception

Interpretation of sensory information.

Gestalt Principles

similarity, continuation, closure, proximity, figure/ground, and symmetry & order

Figure and Ground

Objects of focus (figure) vs. background.

Continuation

Arrow on exit sign leads the gaze outward

Closure

Black lines forming an incomplete airplane still perceived as an airplane.

Similarity

A pattern of similar objects forms one larger object.

Proximity

Closer objects appear as a singular image

Symmetry

Symmetrical objects perceived as one.

Binocular Cues:

Require two eyes

Convergence

Eyes move inward for near objects and straighten for distant objects

Retinal Disparity

Each eye sees a different part of an object, providing depth

Monocular Cues

Require one eye

Relative Size

Closer objects appear larger.

Interposition

Objects blocked by others are farther away.

Relative Height

Higher objects appear farther away

Shading and Contour

Hazy/less detailed parts are farther away.

Texture and Gradient

Detailed objects are closer, blurry objects are farther.

Linear Perspective

Parallel lines converge in the distance.

Motion Parallax

Closer objects move faster; distant objects move slower

Absolute Threshold:

Minimum stimulation needed to detect a stimulus

Sensory Adaptation

Reduced sensitivity to a continuous stimulus.

Example: Not smelling a candle after a while.

Habituation

Reduced response to repeated exposure.

Example: Drug users needing higher doses for the same effect.

Difference Threshold (Just Noticeable Difference)

Minimum change between two stimuli to detect a difference.

Sclera

White, fibrous tissue protecting the eye

Cornea

Transparent layer, allows light to bend.

Aqueous Humor

Fluid maintaining pressure in the eye.

Iris

Ring-shaped membrane controlling eye color and light entry.

Pupil

Dark part of the eye, light passes through.

Lens

Focuses light, biconvex shape.

Vitreous Humor

Gel-like fluid maintaining eye shape

Retina

light-sensitive cells converting light to neural impulses.

Choroid

Supplies oxygen and nutrients to retinal cells.

Optic Nerve:

Sends neural impulses from eye to brain.

Rods

Located on the outer edge of the retina, see in dim light.

Cones

Located in the fovea, enable clear vision and color perception

Cataracts

Cloudy lens causing blurry vision.

Opponent Processing Theory:

Neurons become excited or inhibited due to complementary color pairs (red-green, blue-yellow, black-white).

Synesthesia

Neurological condition where stimulating one sense triggers another.

• Example: Hearing sounds and seeing colors.

Top-Down Processing:

Using prior knowledge to interpret new information

Bottom-Up Processing:

interpreting unfamiliar information as it comes in.

Pinna

Outer part, directs sound into the auditory canal.

Auditory Canal:

Funnels sound to the eardrum.

Eardrum

Vibrates, converting sound into mechanical vibrations.

Cochlea

Fluid-filled, converts vibrations into electrical impulses

Olfaction (Smell)

Olfactory Bulb: Where smell transduction occurs, signals sent to the amygdala and hippocampus.

Olfactory Nerve: Carries smell signals to the brain.

Gustation (Taste)

Taste Buds (Papillae): Structures on the tongue containing taste receptors.

Skin Layers

Epidermis: Outer layer, protective barrier.

Dermis: Middle layer, contains blood vessels and nerve endings.

Hypodermis: Layer of fat insulating tissue and absorbing shock.

Vestibular Sense

Balance maintained through shifting fluid in the inner ear.

Proprioceptors

Sensory receptors in muscles/tendons helping perceive movement

Nociceptors

Sensory receptors detecting pain