What is the difference between sensation and perception?
Sensation: detection of physical energy; Perception: interpretation of sensory information
Sensation involves the initial contact with stimuli, while perception is how we make sense of those stimuli.
Define transduction.
The process of converting physical energy into neural signals
This is a critical step in how sensory information is processed by the nervous system.
What is synesthesia?
A condition where stimulation of one sensory pathway leads to automatic experiences in a second sensory pathway
For example, seeing colors when hearing music.
What is selective attention?
The focusing of conscious awareness on a particular stimulus
This allows individuals to concentrate on specific aspects of their environment.
Differentiate between inattentional blindness and change blindness.
- Inattentional blindness: failure to notice a fully visible object when attention is elsewhere
- Change blindness: failure to notice changes in a visual scene
Both phenomena illustrate limitations in human attention.
What are the absolute threshold and difference threshold (JND)?
- Absolute threshold: minimum stimulus intensity needed to detect a stimulus
- Difference threshold (JND): minimum difference between two stimuli required for detection
These thresholds are key concepts in understanding sensory perception.
State Weber’s law.
The principle that the difference threshold is a constant proportion of the original stimulus
This law explains how we perceive changes in stimuli.
What is sensory adaptation?
The diminished sensitivity to a stimulus as a consequence of constant exposure
This phenomenon allows individuals to focus on changes in their environment.
List the components of vision.
- Cornea
- Retina
- Fovea
- Rods vs. cones
- Dark adaptation
These components are essential for the process of seeing.
Differentiate between rods and cones in vision.
- Rods: responsible for vision in low light
- Cones: responsible for color vision and detail
Both types of photoreceptors are found in the retina.
Explain trichromatic theory vs. opponent process theory of color vision.
- Trichromatic theory: color vision is based on three primary colors (red, green, blue)
- Opponent process theory: color perception is controlled by opposing pairs (red-green, blue-yellow)
These theories describe different mechanisms of color perception.
What is retinal disparity?
The slight difference in images between the two eyes, which helps in depth perception
This is a key factor in how we perceive three-dimensional space.
Define the components of hearing.
- Loudness/amplitude
- Frequency
- Timbre
- Sound localization
- Stereophonic hearing
These components are crucial for understanding auditory perception.
What is the significance of loudness/amplitude in hearing?
Determines the perceived volume of a sound
Higher amplitudes correspond to louder sounds.
What does frequency refer to in the context of hearing?
The number of sound wave cycles per second, determining pitch
Higher frequencies correspond to higher pitches.
What are the chemical senses?
- Smell
- Taste/flavor
These senses rely on chemical interactions to perceive stimuli.
Differentiate between somatic and visceral senses.
- Somatic senses: sensations from the skin, muscles, and joints
- Visceral senses: sensations from internal organs
Both types of senses provide important information about the body.
Explain the gate control theory of pain.
The theory that pain is controlled by a gate mechanism in the spinal cord that can either allow or block pain signals to the brain
This theory helps explain why pain can be perceived differently by individuals.
What is social pain?
The emotional pain resulting from social rejection or loss
This type of pain can be as impactful as physical pain.
Differentiate between subliminal perception and extra sensory perception.
- Subliminal perception: processing of information below the threshold of conscious awareness
- Extra sensory perception: perception beyond the normal sensory capabilities
These concepts explore the limits of human perception.
What is a perceptual set?
A mental predisposition to perceive one thing and not another
This influences how we interpret sensory information.
