PSY-1200 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Supercell, Sensory Neuron, Absolute Threshold
Document Summary
Sensory organs absorb energy from physical stimuli in the environment. Sensory receptors detect stimulus energies and convert them into neutral impulses, which are sent to the brain. The brain organized this input and translates it into something meaningful. A study of the relationship between physical characteristics of stimuli and our psychological experience of them. Absolute threshold: minimum stimulation needed to detect a particular stimulus 50% of the time. The weakest amount of a stimulus that a person can detect 50% of the time. Just noticeable difference (jnd): minimum difference between two stimuli required for detection 50% of the time. Sensory receptors relay information to the brain. Analysis of the stimulus begins with the sense receptors and work up to the level of the brain and mind. Previous experience and expectations affect the detection and analysis of information from the senses. Information processing guided by higher-level mental processes as we construct perceptions drawing on our experience and expectations.
