04 Sensation and Perception Free Online FlashCards

How do sensation and perception differ?

Sensation detects physical energy; perception organizes, interprets, and consciously experiences the resulting signals.

What is transduction?

Transduction is the conversion of physical stimulus energy into neural signals.

Why does sensory adaptation occur?

Sensory adaptation is decreased sensitivity to an unchanging stimulus, allowing attention to shift toward new changes.

What is the absolute threshold?

The absolute threshold is the minimum stimulus energy detectable 50 percent of the time under specified conditions.

What does the difference threshold measure?

The difference threshold, or just noticeable difference, is the smallest detectable difference between two stimuli.

What does Weber’s law state?

Weber’s law states that the difference threshold is approximately a constant proportion of the original stimulus, not a fixed amount.

In signal detection theory, what is a hit?

A hit occurs when a signal is present and the observer reports it.

What is bottom-up processing?

Bottom-up processing begins with sensory features and combines elements such as edges, colors, pitch, intensity, or movement into a percept.

What is figure-ground organization?

Figure-ground organization separates a focal object, the figure, from its surrounding background, the ground.

What is selective attention?

Selective attention focuses processing on some stimuli while reducing attention to competing information.

What is inattentional blindness?

Inattentional blindness is failing to notice a visible stimulus because attention is directed elsewhere.

What is a perceptual set?

A perceptual set is a readiness to perceive something in a particular way, influenced by expectations, goals, emotion, culture, or prior knowledge.