PSYC 1101 Lecture Notes - Optic Nerve, Retina, Near-Sightedness
Document Summary
The process by which our sensory receptors and nervous system receive and represent stimulus energy. The process of organizing and interpreting sensory information, enabling us to recognize meaningful objects and events. Analysis that begins with the sense receptors and works up to the brain"s integration of sensory information. As when we construct perceptions drawing on our experience and expectations. Study of the relationship between physical characteristics of stimuli and our psychological experience of them. Minimum stimulation needed to detect a particular stimulus 50% of the time. Minimum difference between two stimuli required for detection 50% of the time. Predicts how and when we detect the presence of a faint stimulus (signal) amid background stimulation (noise) Assumes that there is no single absolute threshold. When stimuli are below one"s absolute threshold for conscious awareness. To be perceived as different, two stimuli must differ by a constant minimum percentage (rather than a constant amount) Diminished sensitivity as a consequence of constant stimulation.