PSYC 1000 Chapter Notes -Detection Theory, Absolute Threshold, Psychophysics

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 1000
• Professor: Dan Meegan

Document Summary

Sensation: the process by which our sensory receptors and nervous system receive and represent stimulus energies from our environment. Perception: the process of organizing and interpreting sensory information, enabling us to recognize meaningful objects and events. Bottom up processing: analysis that begins with the sensory receptors and works up to the brain"s integration of sensory information. Information processing guided by higher level mental processes: as when we construct perceptions drawing on out experience and expectations. Often using specialized receptor cells: transform that stimulation into neural impulses, deliver the neural information to our brain. Transduction: conversion of one form of energy into another. In sensation the transforming of stimulus energies such as sights, sounds, and smells into neural impulses our brain can interpret. Psychophysics: the study of relationships between the physical characteristics of stimuli and our psychological experience of them. Xrays, radiowaves, ultraviolet and infared light, soundwaves are struck in high and low frequencies.