PSYC 201 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Detection Theory, Absolute Threshold, Sensory Neuron
Document Summary
The process by which our sensory receptors and nervous system receive and represent stimulus energies from our environment taking in information at the lowest level. Interpreting and organizing sensory information, enabling us to recognize meaningful objects and events. Problem with perception: face blindness can see faces, but no memory of who they are. Bottom-up processing analysis of the stimulus begins with the sense receptors and works up to the level of the brain and mind. Taking sensory information and assembling and integrating it. Top down info processing guided by higher-level mental processing as we construct perceptions, drawing on our own experience and expectations. Using models, ideas, and expectations to interpret sensory information. Absolute threshold: the minimum level of stimulus intensity needed to detect a stimulus. 50% of the time: if below threshold = subliminal stimuli . Can drive your attention, but cannot be the force in change (low level: when absolute thresholds are not absolute.
