Reading...
Play button
Play button
Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
105 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
- 3rd side (hint)
|
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 beings with the sensory receptors and works up to the brain's integration of sensory information
|
|
|
|
top-down processing
|
information processing guided by higher level mental processes as when we construct perceptions drawing on our experience and expectations
|
|
|
|
psychophysics
|
the study of relationships between the physical characterisitcs of stimuli, such as their intensity, and our psychological experience of them
|
|
|
|
absolute threshold
|
the minimum stimulation needed to detect a particular stimulus 50 percent of the time
|
|
|
|
Signal detection theory
|
a theory predictiong how and when we detect the presence of a faint stimulus ("signal") amid background stimulation ("noise"). Assumes there is no single absolute threshold and that detection depends partly on a person's experience, expectations, motivation, and level of fatigue
|
|
|
|
subliminal
|
below one's absolute threshold for conscious awareness
|
|
|
|
priming
|
the activation, often unconsciously, of certain associations, thus predisposing one's perception, memory, or response
|
|
|
|
difference threshold
|
the minimum difference between two stimuli required for detection 50 perent of the time,We experience difference threshold as a just noticeable difference. (also called just noticeable difference or ind.)
|
|
|
|
Weber's law
|
the principle that, to be perceived as different, two stimuli must differ by a constant minimum percentage (rather than a constant amount).
|
|
|
|
sensory adaptation
|
diminished sensitivity as a consequence of a constant stimulation
|
|
|
|
transduction
|
conversion of one form of energy into another. In sensation, the transforming stimulus energies such as sights, sounds, and smells, into neural impulses our brains can interpret
|
|
|
|
wavelength
|
the distance from the peak of one light or sound wave to the peak of the next. Electromagnetic wavelength vary from the short blips of cosmic rays to long pulses of radio transmission
|
|
|
|
hue
|
the dimension of color that is determined by the wavelength of light; what we know as the color names blue, green, and so forth
|
|
|
|
intensity
|
the amount of energy in a light or sound wave, which we perceive which we perceive as brightness or loudness, as determined by the wave's amplitude
|
|
|
|
pupil
|
the adjustable opening in the center of the eye through which light enters
|
|
|
|
iris
|
a ring of muscle tissue that forms the colored portion of the eye around the pupil and controls the size of the pupil opening
|
|
|
|
lens
|
the transparent structure behind the pupil that changes shape to help focus images on the retina
|
|
|
|
accomodation
|
the process by which the eye's lens changes shape to focus near or far objects on the retina
|
|
|
|
retina
|
the light-sensitive inner surface of the eye, containing the receptor rods and cones plus layers of neurons that bein the processing of visual information
|
|
|
|
acuity
|
the sharpness of vision
|
|
|
|
nearsightedness
|
a condition in which nearby objects are seen more clearly than distant objects because distant objects focus in the front of the retina
|
|
|
|
farsightedness
|
a condition in which far away objects are seen more clearly than near objects because the image of near objects is focused behind the retina
|
|
|
|
rods
|
retinal receptors that detect black, white, and gray; necessary for peripheral and twilight vision, when cones don't respond
|
|
|
|
cones
|
retinal receptor cells that are concentrated near the center of the retina and that function in daylight or in well-lit conditions. THEY detect fine detail and give rise to color sensations
|
|
|
|
optic nerve
|
the nerve that carries neural impulses from the eye to the brain
|
|
|
|
blind spot
|
the point at which the optic nerve leaves the eye, creating a "blind" spot because no receptor cells are located there
|
|
|
|
fovea
|
the central focal point in the retina around which the eye's cones cluster
|
|
|
|
feature detectors
|
nerve cells in the brain that respond to specific features of stimulus, such as shape, angle, or movement
|
|
|
|
parallel processing
|
the processing of several aspects of a problem simultaneously; the brain's natural mode of information processing for many functions, including vision. Contrasts with the step-by-step (serial) processing of most computers and of conscious problem solving.
|
|
|
|
young-hemholts trichromatic (three color) theory
|
the theory that the retina contains three different color receptors--one most sensitive to red, one to green, one to blue-- which when stimulated in combination can produce the reception of any color
|
|
|
|
opponent-process theory
|
the theory that retinal processes (red-green, yellow-blue, white-black) enable color vision. For example, some cells are stimulated by green and inhibited by red; others are stimulated by red and inhibited by green.
|
|
|
|
color constancy
|
perceiving familiar objects as having consistent color, even if changing illumination alters the wavelengths reflected by the object.
|
|
|
|
audition
|
the sense or act of hearing
|
|
|
|
frequency
|
the number of complete wavelengths that pass a point in a given time (for example, per second)
|
|
|
|
pitch
|
a tone's experienced highness or lowness; depends on a frequency
|
|
|
|
middle ear
|
the chamber between the eardrum and cochlea containing three tiny bones (hammer, anvil, and stirrup) that concentrate the vibrations of the eardrum on the cochlea's oval window
|
|
|
|
conchlea
|
a coiled, bony, fluid-filled tube in the inner ear through which sound waves trigger nerve impulses
|
|
|
|
inner ear
|
the innermost part of the ear containing the cochlea, semicircular canals and vestibular sacs
|
|
|
|
place theory
|
in hearing, the theory that links the pitch we hear with the place where the cochlea's membrane is stimulated
|
|
|
|
frequency theory
|
in hearing, the theory that the rate of nerve impulses traveling up the auditory nerve matches the frequency of a tone, thus enabling us to sense its pitch
|
|
|
|
conduction hearing loss
|
hearing loss caused by damage to the mechanical system that conducts sound waves to the cochlea
|
|
|
|
sensorineural hearing loss
|
hearing loss caused by damage to the cochlea's receptor cells or to the auditory nerves; also called nerve deafness
|
|
|
|
cochlear implant
|
a device for converting sound into electrical signals and stimulating the auditory nerve through electrodes threaded into the cochlea
|
|
|
|
gate-control theory
|
the theory that the spinal cord contains a neurological "gate" that blocks pain signals or allows them to pass into the brain. The "gate" is opened by the activity of pain signals traveling up small nerve fibers and is closed by activity in large fibers or by information coming from the brain
|
|
|
|
sensory interaction
|
the principle that one sens may influence another, as when the smell of food influences its taste
|
|
|
|
kinesthesis
|
the system for sensing the position and movement of individual body parts
|
|
|
|
vestibular sense
|
the sense of body movement and position, including the sense of balance
|
|
|
|
selective attention
|
the focusing of conscious awareness on a particular stimulus, as in the cocktail party effect
|
|
|
|
inattentional blindness
|
failing t see visible objects when our attention is directed elsewhere
|
|
|
|
visual capture
|
the tendency for vision to dominate the other senses
|
|
|
|
gestalt
|
an organized whole. (insert word) psychologists emphasized our tendency to integrate pieces of information into meaningful wholes
|
|
|
|
figure-ground
|
the organization of the visual field into objects (figures) that stand out from their surroundings (the ground).
|
|
|
|
grouping
|
the perceptual tendency to organize stimuli into coherent groups
|
|
|
|
depth perception
|
the ability to see objects in three dimensions although the images that strike the retina are two-dimensional; allows us to judge distance
|
|
|
|
visual cliff
|
a laboratory device for testing depth perception in infants and young animals
|
|
|
|
binocular cues
|
depth cues, such as retinal disparity and convergence, that depend on the use of two eyes
|
|
|
|
retinal disparity
|
a binocular cue for perceiving depth: By comparing images form two eyeballs, the brain computes distance--the greater the disparity (difference) between two images, the closer the object
|
|
|
|
convergence
|
a binocular cue for perceiving depth; extent to which the eyes converge inward when looking at an object. The greater the inward strain, the closer the object
|
|
|
|
monocular cues
|
depth cues, such as interposition and linear perspective, available to either eye alone
|
|
|
|
Phi phenomenon
|
an illusion of movement created when two or more adjacent lights blink aon and off in quick succession
|
|
|
|
perceptual constancy
|
perceiving objects as unchanging (having consistent lightness, color, shape, and size) even as illumination and retinal images change
|
|
|
|
perceptual adaptation
|
in vision, the ability to adjust to an artificially displaced or even inverted visual field
|
|
|
|
perceptual set
|
a mental predisposition to perceive one thing and not another
|
|
|
|
human factors psychology
|
a branch of psychology that explores how people and machines interact and how machines and physical environments can be made safe and easy to use
|
|
|
|
extrasensory perception (ESP)
|
the controversial claim that perception can occur apart from sensory input. Said to include telepathy, clairvoyance, and precognition
|
|
|
|
parapsychology
|
the study of paranormal phenomena, including ESP and psychokinesis
|
|
|
|
consciousness
|
our awareness of ourselves and our environment
|
|
|
|
biological rhythms
|
periodic physiological fluctuations
|
|
|
|
circadian rhythm
|
the biological clock; regular bodily rhythms (for example, of temperature and wakefulness that occur on a 24-hour cycle
|
|
|
|
REM Sleep
|
rapid eye movement sleep, a recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur. Also known as paradoxical sleep , because the muscles are relaxed (except for minor twitches) but other body systems are active
|
|
|
|
alpha waves
|
the relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state
|
|
|
|
sleep
|
periodic, natural, reversible loss of consciousness--as distinct from unconsciousness resulting from a coma, general anesthesia, or hibernation
|
|
|
|
hallucinations
|
false sensory experiences, such as seeing something in the absence of an external visual stimulus
|
|
|
|
delta waves
|
the large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep
|
|
|
|
insomnia
|
recurring problems in falling or staying asleep
|
|
|
|
narcolepsy
|
a sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks. The sufferer may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times
|
|
|
|
sleep apnea
|
a sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings
|
|
|
|
pen'itent
|
(adj) regretful for one's sins or mistakes, one who is sorry for wrongdoing
|
s: remorseful, regretful, rueful, sorry
a: unrepentant, remorseless |
|
|
manifest content
|
according to Freud, the remembered story line of a dream (as distinct from its latent, or hidden, content).
|
|
|
|
latent content
|
according to Freud, the underlying meaning of a dream (as distinct from its manifest content). Freud believed that a dreams (fill in here) content functions as a safety valve.
|
|
|
|
REM rebound
|
the tendency for REM sleep deprivation (created by repeated awakenings during REM sleep)
|
|
|
|
hypnosis
|
a social interaction in which one person (the hypnotist) suggests to another (the subject) that certain perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors will spontaneously occur
|
|
|
|
posthypnotic suggestion
|
a suggestion made during a hypnosis session, to be carried out after the subject is no longer hypnotized; used by some clinicians to help control undesired symptoms and behaviors
|
|
|
|
dissociation
|
a split consciousness, which allows some thoughts and behaviors to occur simultaneously with others
|
|
|
|
psychoactive drug
|
a chemical substance that alters perceptions and mood
|
|
|
|
tolerance
|
the diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drug's effect
|
|
|
|
withdrawl
|
the discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing the use of an addictive drug
|
|
|
|
physical dependence
|
a physiological need for a drug, marked by unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when the drug is discontinued
|
|
|
|
physical dependence
|
a physiological need for a drug, marked by unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when the drug is discontinued
|
|
|
|
addiction
|
compulsive drug craving and use
|
|
|
|
depressants
|
drugs (such as alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates) that reduce neural activity and slow body functions
|
|
|
|
barbiturates
|
drugs that depress the activity of the central nervous system (CNS) , reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment
|
|
|
|
opiates
|
opium and its derivatives , such as morphine and heroin; they depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety
|
|
|
|
stimulants
|
drugs (such as caffeine, nicotine, and the more powerful amphetamines, cocaine, and Ecstacy) that excite neural activity and speed up body functions
|
|
|
|
amphetamines
|
a powerfully addictive drug that stimulates the neural activity, causing speed-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes; over time, appears to reduce baseline dopamine levels
|
|
|
|
methamphetamine
|
a powerfully addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system , with speeded up body functions and associated energy and mood changes; over time, appears to reduce baseline dopamine levels
|
|
|
|
Ecstacy (MDMA)
|
a synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen. Produces euphoria and social intimacy, but with short-term health risks and long-term harm to serotonin-producing neurons and to mood and cognition
|
|
|
|
hallucinogens
|
psychedelic ("mind-manifesting") drugs, such as LSD, that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input
|
|
|
|
LSD
|
a powerful hallucingenic drug; also known as acid (lysergic acid diethylamide).
|
|
|
|
THC
|
the major active ingredient in marijuana; triggers a variety of affects, including hallucinations
|
|
|
|
near-death experience
|
an altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death (such as through cardiac arrest); often similar to drug-induced hallucinations
|
|
|
|
dualism
|
the presumptions that mind and body are two distinct entities that interact
|
|
|
|
monism
|
the presumption that mind and body are different aspects of the same thing
|
|
