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Sensation (AP Psychology) Flashcards

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6086463133SensationThe process by which our sensory receptors and nervous system receive and represent stimulus energies from our environment.0
6086463134PerceptionThe process of organizing and interpreting sensory information, enabling us to recognize meaningful objects and events.1
6086466164Bottom-Up Processinganalysis that begins with the sensory receptors and works up to the brain's integration of sensory information2
6086466165Top-Down Processinginformation processing guided by higher-level mental processes, as when we construct perceptions drawing on our experience and expectations3
6086470584Psychophysicsthe study of relationships between the physical characteristics of stimuli, such as their intensity, and our psychological experience of them4
6086472230Absolute Thresholdthe minimum stimulation needed to detect a particular stimulus 50 percent of the time5
6086472231Difference Thresholdalso called the jnd; smallest distinction between two stimuli that can consistently be detected6
6086474967Signal Detection Theorya 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.7
6086474968Weber's Law(difference threshold) The change needed is proportional to the original intensity of the stimulus. (5% for sound, 8% vision)8
6086477469Sensory Adaptationdiminished sensitivity as a consequence of constant stimulation9
6086477470TransductionConversion 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.10
6086477471WavelengthHorizontal distance between the crests or between the troughs of two adjacent waves11
6086480759HueA particular shade of a given color12
6086480760IntensityThe brightness of a light.13
6086482251PupilThe adjustable opening in the center of the eye through which light enters.14
6086482252IrisA ring of muscle tissue that forms the colored portion of the eye around the pupil and controls the size of the pupil opening.15
6086482253LensThe transparent structure behind the pupil that changes shape to help focus images on the retina.16
6086485399AccommodationThe process by which the eye's lens changes shape to focus near or far objects on the retina.17
6086485400RetinaContains sensory receptors that process visual information and sends it to the brain18
6086487455Acuitysharpness19
6086487456NearsightednessA condition in which nearby objects are seen more clearly than distant objects because distant objects focus in front of the retina20
6086488858Farsightednessa condition in which faraway objects are seen more clearly than near objects because the image of near objects is focused behind the retina21
6086488859RodsRetinal receptors that detect black, white, and gray; necessary for peripheral and twilight vision, when cones don't respond.22
6086488860ConesColor vision23
6086491465FoveaThe central focal point in the retina, around which the eye's cones cluster.24
6086493740Blind Spotthe point at which the optic nerve leaves the eye, creating a "blind" spot because no receptor cells are located there25
6086497600Feature Detectorsnerve cells in the brain that respond to specific features of the stimulus, such as shape, angle, or movement26
6086499329Parallel ProcessingThe processing of several aspects of a problem simultaneously; the brain's natural mode of information processing for many functions, including vision. Contrasts with the step-by-step (serial) processing of most computers and of conscious problem solving.27
6086501945Trichromatic TheoryVisual theory, stated by Young and Helmholtz that all colors can be made by mixing the three basic colors: red, green, and blue; a.k.a the Young-Helmholtz theory.28
6086505749Opponent Process TheoryThe theory that opposing retinal processes (red-green, yellow-blue, white-black) enable color vision. For example, some cells are stimulated by green and inhibited by red; others are stimulated by red and inhibited by green29
6086510046Auditionthe sense of hearing30
6086515391Place Theoryin hearing, the theory that links the pitch we hear with the place where the cochlea's membrane is stimulated31
6086517799Frequency Theoryin hearing, the theory that the rate of nerve impulses traveling up the auditory nerve matches the frequency of a tone, thus enabling us to sense its pitch32
6086517800Conduction Hearing Losshearing loss caused by damage to the mechanical system that conducts sound waves to the cochlea33
6086519946Nerve Hearing LossSensorineural: hearing loss caused by damage to the cochlea's receptor cells or to the auditory nerve, caused by aging or prolonged exposure to loud noises34
6086521860Gate Control TheoryPeripheral nerve fibers can have their input modified at the spinal cord level before transmission to the brain. This is the basis of many pain intervention strategies, especially nonpharmacologic interventions.35
6086521861Kinethesissense of balance and of one's physical position36
6086525316Vestibular Sensethe sense of body movement and position, including the sense of balance37
6086528880ear drumtympanic membrane38
6086528881auditory canalthe area that sound waves pass through to reach the eardrum39
6086537555occiclesMalleus, incus and stapes - series of bones that connect the eardrum to the oval window.40
6086537556semicircular canalsthree canals within the inner ear that contain specialized receptor cells that generate nerve impulses with body movement41
6086546893vestibular nervenerve that conducts impulses related to maintaining balance to the brain42
6086550776cochlear nerveSends auditory information to the brain43
6086552843cochleaA coiled, bony, fluid-filled tube in the inner ear through which sound waves trigger nerve impulses44
6086554800tympanic cavitymiddle ear45
6086562768corneaThe clear tissue that covers the front of the eye46

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