Senses

“top down processing”

  • Uses higher level cognitive processing such as expectations and prior knowledge to interpret incoming stimuli

  • Allowing individuals to make sense of ambiguous or incomplete sensory input by inferring missing details

“bottom up processing”

  • taking in raw sensory information and processing it without the need of prior knowledge or expectations

What are thresholds and how do they differ?

  1. Absolute threshold- the smallest detectable threshold

  2. Difference threshold-detectable difference in stimulus

What is signal detection and how does it affect your life?

  • It measures the ability to detect stimulus from surrounding stimuli (noise)

  • How we might hear the faint sound of the stove on and remember to turn it off

What is sensory adaptation? Selective Attention?

The way our senses adjust to different stimuli

ex: How our eyes dilate smaller in dark environments

Selective Attention- How we only focus on the main object while ignoring the background objects

What part of the light spectrum do humans see? Can animals see in different light spectrums? If so, explain which animals and how they see.

Humans can see visible light, 400-700 nm

Explain the differences between normal vision, nearsightedness and farsightedness.

Normal vision (20/20): Light focuses directly on retina

Nearsightedness (Myopia): Light focuses in front of retina, distant objects are blurry

Farsightedness (hyperopia): Light focuses behind the retina, causing close objects to appear blurry

What are the three basic colours involved in vision?

Red, blue and green are detected by cone cells

What is “figure ground relationships”?

The relationship between a subject or a figure and the background, ex: optical allusions

What are grouping principles?

Rules the brain uses to organize visual elements

  • Proximity, similarity, continuity, closure, and connectedness.

What is depth perception?

Ability to see object in three dimensions

What is the difference between binocular and monocular depth cues?

Binocular cues require two eyes (see in three dimension) whereas monocular depth cues require one eye (see in two dimension)

What are monocular depth cues?

Cues able to be precieved with one eye

ex: relative size - objects farther away look smaller

How does motion affect our vision?

Motion creates depth and direction cues, aiding in tracking and spatial understanding.

Explain perceptual constancy

Tendency for animals and humans having the same shape, size, color, location regardless in change of perspective.

What happens when someone losses their abilities to see one of the colours? How would it affect their life?

Can cause them to be unsafe to drive

What is a decibel? Hertz?

Decibel measures sound intensity

Herts measures sound frequency

How do you hear?

  1. Our outer ear vibrates the sound waves and directs to ear drum

  2. Vibrations move through middle ear and inner ear

  3. Signals travel to brain, translating it into what you hear

What is tinnitus? How do you get it, what causes it and how is it cured?

It is when there is constant ringing in your ear and is caused by stress, hearing damage, age or illness. There is no cure, but medication, sound therapy devices and cognitive therapy

How do you damage your hearing?

Loud noises, age, infections

How do people regain their hearing?

Hearing aids and cochlear implants

How do you locate/identify where a sound comes from?

Through the intensity difference and the timing (when the sound reaches you)

What can cause people to be unable to properly locate a sound?

Hearing loss in one ear or unable to mask background noise

What are the four basic tastes?

  • Sweet, sour. bitter, salty

Does texture affect taste? Explain

The texture of the food can affect the taste by slowing the rate of which the flavour exits the food

Explain how you smell? How can this sense be damaged?

Odour molecules stimulate the nasal cavity and then it sends signals to the brain

You can lose your sense of smell if the mucus membranes in the nose are irritated

What are the four basic skin senses? How can this be altered/enhanced/decreased?

  • touch, pressure, temperature and pain

  • Through anesthesia, numbing cream or nerve damage it can reduce the pain and pressure you feel

What are the 2 body senses and how are they different?

1. Kinesthetic Sense (Proprioception):

  • Definition: The awareness of the position and movement of your body parts.

  • How It Works: Receptors in muscles, tendons, and joints send signals to the brain about limb positioning and movement.

  • Purpose: Enables coordinated and precise movements without relying on vision.

  • Example: Closing your eyes and touching your nose or walking without staring at your feet.

2. Vestibular Sense:

  • Definition: The sense of balance and spatial orientation.

  • How It Works: The inner ear (semicircular canals and vestibular sacs) detects changes in head position, motion, and gravitational forces, sending signals to the brain.

  • Purpose: Helps maintain balance, posture, and stability while moving or standing still.

  • Example: Staying upright on a bicycle or feeling dizzy after spinning.

Can we trick our sense? Explain.

Yes through optical illusions and VR

What is the difference between perception and sensation? How/where does memory fit into this?

Which is more important to you, sensation or perception? Explain

Sensation is the raw data input, and perception is how the brain processes and interprets that input to create an understanding of the world. Both are crucial for interacting with and navigating the environment.