CAS PS 101 Quiz: SENSATION & PERCEPTION
5 Dec 2017
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SENSATION & PERCEPTION
I. SENSATION & PERCEPTION
1. Sensation - Sensation refers simply to your contact with the external world through your sensory
receptors. These are the inputs received via our sensory receptors.
2. Perception - This refers to how we interpret and organize the information we receive from the
senses. It is our conscious experience of what our senses are telling us.
II. SENSATION
1. Stimulus - A stimulus is any form of energy to which our senses respond. For example, the light that
hits our eyes would be considered a stimulus.
2. Sensory Receptors - In certain areas of our body we have specialized receptor cells that are
programmed to respond to specific stimuli. They convert (or transduce) the physical properties of a
stimuli into neural impulses that our brain can understand.
3. Sensory Deprivation - Our bodies are prepared to receive a great deal of sensory input. When we are
deprived of sensory input our brains sometimes play a trick on us and tell us we are receiving
information when we are not. This is usually in the form of hallucinations.
4. Absolute Threshold - Not all stimulation is received and translated. For example, a dog can hear
sounds you cannot. The absolute threshold is the smallest amount of a stimulus that we can detect 50%
of the time.
5. Signal Detection Theory - Some scientists dispute the existence of absolute thresholds. They propose
a theory called signal detection theory. This holds that there are no absolute thresholds but rather,
detection of a stimuli depends on the energy of the stimulus and the costs and benefits to you of
detecting that stimulus. For example, if you are in a crowded room you do not hear what everyone is
saying even though all sounds may meet a minimal threshold for hearing. You hear only those sound
you deem important enough.
6. Difference Threshold - This is the amount two stimuli must differ for you to notice that they are
different. This is illustrated by listening to your stereo. How much do you have to turn it up for you to
notice that it is louder. Basically, the lower the intensity the easier it is to notice a difference. This is
referred to a Weber's Law which states that the smallest detectable difference is a function of the
intensity.
7. Subliminal Perception - There has been some interest in our ability to respond to stimuli that is
below our threshold of conscious perception. This is very controversial and there is no agreement that
it occurs. Some people believe however that there are satanic messages in rock albums.
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Document Summary
Sensation & perception: sensation & perception, sensation - sensation refers simply to your contact with the external world through your sensory receptors. These are the inputs received via our sensory receptors: perception - this refers to how we interpret and organize the information we receive from the senses. It is our conscious experience of what our senses are telling us. Sensation: stimulus - a stimulus is any form of energy to which our senses respond. For example, the light that hits our eyes would be considered a stimulus: sensory receptors - in certain areas of our body we have specialized receptor cells that are programmed to respond to speci c stimuli. They convert (or transduce) the physical properties of a stimuli into neural impulses that our brain can understand: sensory deprivation - our bodies are prepared to receive a great deal of sensory input.
