PSYC 2000 Chapter : Psych 3
Document Summary
Introduction to psychology: sensation and perception (modules 17 22) Sensation and perception: sensation: process by which our sensory receptors and nervous system receive and represent stimulus energies from our environment, perception: process of organizing and interpreting sensory information, enabling us to recognize meaningful objects and events. Psychophysics: psychophysics: study of the relationship between physical characteristics of stimuli and our psychological experience with them. Thresholds: absolute threshold: minimum stimulation needed to detect a particular stimulus 50% of the time, subliminal threshold: when stimuli are below one"s absolute threshold for conscious awareness. Signal detection theory: signal detection theory: predicts how and when we detect a signal amid noise. Assumes detection partly depends on a person"s experience, expectations, motivation, and alertness. Subliminal messages: priming: the activation often unconsciously, of certain associations, thus predisposing one"s perception, memory, or response. Difference thresholds: difference threshold: minimum difference between two stimuli required for detection.
