Psychology 1000 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Detection Theory, Absolute Threshold, Stimulus Modality

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 1000
• Professor: Dr.Mike

Document Summary

Sensation: the stimulus-detection process by which our sense organs respond to and translate environmental stimuli into nerve impulses that are sent to the brain. Perception: the active process of organizing stimulus input and giving it meaning; making sense" of what our senses tell us. Perception is an active and creative process; thus, the same sensory input may be perceived in different ways at different times. Certain neurons have developed into specialized sensory receptors that can transform light waves, sound waves, or other forms of energy into the code language of nerve impulses. There appear to be more than five classical senses with which we are familiar with: vision, audition (hearing, touch, gestation (taste, olfaction (smell) For example, there are senses that provide information about balance and body position. Human sensory systems are designed to extract from the environment the information that we need to function and survive.