The process by which our sensory systems receive stimuli

from our environment.

SENSATION6-8%

Bottom-up processing – information that enters our senses (eyes, ears, nose)

vsTop-down processing – information processing which draws on our experiences & expectations to interpret incoming sensations. (Perception)

Is the study of how the physical properties of stimuli relate to people’s experience of stimuli

MEASURING THE SENSES1. The absolute threshold – is the

minimum amount of stimulation needed to detect a stimulus 50% of the time.

2. The difference threshold is the smallest difference in stimulation that can be detected 50% of the time (also called jnd-just noticeable difference)

Psychophysics

The size of the just noticeable difference is proportional to the strength of the original stimulus.

WEBER’S LAW

3. Signal detection Theory is used to predict when a weak signal will be detected. A new theory that assumes there is no absolute threshold. Detection of a stimulus depends on a combination of actors: stimulus intensity, background noise, a person’s level of experience, motivation & physical condition.

Diminished sensitivity as a result of constant stimulation. You just get used to the stimulus and don’t notice it anymore.

SELECTIVE ATTENTIONFocusing our conscious awareness on

a particular stimulus (one stimulus at a time) to the exclusion of others.

“the cocktail party effect”

SENSORY ADAPTATION

The visual system transduces light waves into neural impulses that the brain processes into what we consciously see.

1. Cornea-transparent, protective outer membrane of the eye.

2. Pupil-The small opening in the middle of the iris, which changes size to let in different amounts of light.

3. Iris-the colored part of the eye is a ring of muscle.

4. Lens-is located behind the pupil & iris and adjusts its shape to focus light from objects near or far away.

VISION

5. Retina is the light sensitive membrane at the back of the eye. The retina contains receptor cells called rods: allow you to see black & white

Cones: allow you to see colorBi-polar cells – neurons that connect the rods & cones to the ganglion cells

Ganglion cells – connect to the bipolar cells. The bundled axons form the optic nerve.

Blind spot – the point where the optic nerve leaves the eye & there are no rods or cones.

The optic nerve carries visual information to the brain’s visual cortex, which lies in the occipital lobe in the back of the brain.

1. Tri-chromatic or Three color theory

There are 3 primary colors: red, green & blue. Any color we see is a combination of the waves of these 3 colors.

2. The opponent process theoryColor processing works in the cones.

There are opposing pairs of red-green, black-white, blue-green Used to explain afterimages

Theories of Color Vision

Depends on the presence of sound waves-which are changes in pressure generated by vibrating molecules.

Loudness depends on amplitude or height of the sound wave.

Pitch depends on frequency of sound wave-which is the number of times per second a sound wave cycles from the highest to the lowest point. The higher the frequency the higher the pitch.

HEARING or Audition

Place Theory-States that sound waves of different frequencies trigger receptors at different places on the basilar membrane. The brain figures out the pitch of sound by detecting the position of hair cells that send the neural signal.

FREQUENCY THEORY

Sound waves of different frequencies make the basilar membrane vibrate at different rates & causes neural impulses to be sent at different rates. Pitch is determined by how fast the neural signals move along to the brain.

CONDUCTION DEAFNESS - loss of hearing as a result of structural damage.

NERVE DEAFNESS – damage to the cochlea, hair cells,. This damage may result from disease or prolonged exposure to loud noise.

TASTE and SMELLThe 5 tastes are: salty, sweet, sour, bitter. & umami.

Gustation refers to taste

Smell occurs when chemicals are inhaled into the nose. Smell receptors send impulses along the olfactory nerve to the brain.

Kinesthesis is the sense & movement of body parts.

The vestibular sense is your sense of equilibrium or body orientation.

Touch-the sense of touch is a collection of several senses Cold Pressure Warmth Pain

Warmth + Cold = Hot

The theory that the spinal cord contains a “gate” that blocks pain signals or allows them to pass onto the brain. The “gate” is opened by the activity of pain signals traveling up small nerve fibers and is closed by activity in larger fibers or by information coming from the brain.

The Gate-Control Theory of Pain