PSYC 1010 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Detection Theory, Absolute Threshold, Sensory Neuron

• School: York University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 1010
• Professor: Rebecca Jubis

Document Summary

The process of sensation can be seen as three steps: Reception: the stimulation of sensory receptor cells by energy (sound, light, heat, etc) Transduction: transforming this cell stimulation into neural impulses. The absolute threshold refers to the minimum level of stimulus intensity needed to detect a stimulus half the time. Intensity at which a stimulus can be detected 50% of time. Lower the absolute threshold higher the sensitivity. Signal detection theory refers to whether or not we detect a stimulus, especially amidst background noise. This depends not just on intensity of the stimulus but on psychological factors such as the person"s experience, expectations, motivations, and alertness. Ask participants to indicate if they perceived a stimulus (e. g. heard a tone) Amount of increase needed to make a difference. Carry 5 kg, 1 additional gram will not make a difference. Carry 50 grams, 1 gram will make a difference. For 500 gram need 10 gram to make a difference.