Sensation and Perception - Columbia Southern University · Sensation and Perception . PSYCHOLOGY 10...

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6

Sensation and Perception

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Definitions

Sensation The detection of physical energy emitted or reflected by physical objects

Occurs when energy in the external environment or the body stimulates receptors in the sense organs

Perception The process by which the brain organizes and interprets sensory information

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Learning objectives

6.1 – Why we experience separate sensations even

though they all rely on similar neural signals

6.2 – What kind of code in the nervous system

helps explain why a pinprick and a kiss feel

different

6.3 – How psychologists measure the sensitivity of

our senses

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Ambiguous figure

The colored surface can be either the outside front surface or the inside back surface.

But not both simultaneously

The brain can interpret

the ambiguous cues in

two different ways.

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Riddle of separate sensations

Sense receptors

Specialized cells that convert physical energy into electrical energy that can be transmitted as nerve impulses to the brain

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Specific nerve energies

Different sensory modalities exist because signals received by the sense organs stimulate different nerve pathways leading to different areas of the brain.

Synesthesia

A condition in which stimulation of one sense also evokes another

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Absolute threshold

The smallest quantity of physical energy that can be reliably detected by an observer

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Absolute thresholds

Vision A single candle flame from 30 miles on a clear night

Hearing The tick of a watch from 20 feet in total quiet

Smell One drop of perfume in a 6-room apartment

Touch The wing of a bee on the cheek, dropped from 1 cm

Taste One teaspoon of sugar in 2 gallons of water

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 The Visible Spectrum of Electromagnetic Energy

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Difference threshold

The smallest difference in stimulation that can be reliably detected by an observer when two stimuli are compared

Also called the Just Noticeable Difference (JND)

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Signal-detection theory A psychophysical theory that divides the detection

of a sensory signal into a sensory process and a

decision process

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.


6.4 – How information can be sensed yet not

perceived

6.5 – What happens when people are deprived of

all external sensory stimulation

6.6 – Why we sometimes fail to see an object that

we’re looking straight at

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Sensory adaptation and deprivation Adaptation

The reduction or disappearance of sensory responsiveness when stimulation is unchanging or repetitious

Prevents us from having to continuously respond to unimportant information

Deprivation

The absence of normal levels of sensory stimulation

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Sensory overload

The over-stimulation of the senses

Can lead to fatigue and mental confusion

Selective attention

The focusing of attention on selected aspects of the environment

and the blocking out of others

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Inattentional blindness

Failure to consciously register objects that we are

looking straight at

One of the hazards of selective attention

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Which is correct?

Different portions of the body vary in their sensitivity to

touch. The fingertips and lips are especially sensitive

and the lower back is relatively insensitive. The brain

itself is completely indifferent to touch. This describes

which of the following concepts?

A. Distribution of receptors

B. Optimal levels of stimulation

C. Sensory adaptation

D. Difference threshold

E. Signal detection theory

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Which is correct?

Jane has prepared three cups of coffee but can’t recall how

much sugar is in each. The cup with the smallest amount of

sugar is easy to identify, but Jane can’t taste any difference

between the other two cups even though she knows one

has more sugar. This describes which of the following

concepts?






PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Which is correct?

A nurse notices that patients perform more poorly on

auditory tests—tests involving the threshold of

hearing—when they are tired as a result of loss of

sleep. This describes which of the following concepts?






PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Which is correct?

John is looking all over for his glasses when his wife

points them out at the top of his head. This describes







PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Which is correct?

Bill was initially delighted to land a job at the post office, but

recently he has become worried. By the end of his shift, he

almost always feels edgy, nervous, and confused. This is

difficult for Bill to understand because his work makes few

demands. He just sits there all day, alone in a room, putting

thousands of letters into the numerous bins. This describes







PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.


6.7 – How the physical characteristics of light

waves correspond to the psychological

dimensions of vision

6.8 – The basics of how the eye works, and why

the eye is not a camera

6.9 – How we see colors, and how we can describe

a color a bluish green but not as reddish green

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 What we see

Hue Visual experience specified by color names and related to the wavelength of light

Brightness Visual experience related to the amount of light emitted from or reflected by an object

Saturation Visual experience related to the complexity of light waves

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 What we see

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 An eye on the world

Cornea

Protects eye and bends light toward lens

Lens

Focuses on objects by changing shape

Iris

Controls amount of light that gets into eye

Pupil

Aperture through which light reaches the retina

Major Structures of the Eye

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 An eye on the world Retina

Neural tissue lining the back of the eyeball’s interior containing the receptors for vision

Rods

Visual receptors that respond to dim light

Cones

Visual receptors involved in color vision

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Structures of the retina

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Your turn

You have a hard time locating your red car at night, in the poorly lit mall parking lot. Why?

1. Your rods are less sensitive to color in dim light.

2. Your cones, which detect color, do not function well in dim light.

3. Your ganglion cells receive insufficient overall stimulation to function.

4. Your rods, which detect color, do not function well in dim light.

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 The visual system is not a camera

Much visual processing is done in the brain Some cortical cells respond to lines in specific orientations (e.g., horizontal).

Other cortical cells respond to other shapes (e.g., bulls-eyes, spirals, faces).

Feature detectors Cells in the visual cortex that are sensitive to specific features of the environment

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Trichromatic theory

Young (1802) and von Helmholtz (1852) both proposed that the eye detects 3 primary colors Red, blue, and green

All other colors derived by combination

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Opponent-process theory

A competing theory of color vision, which assumes that the visual system treats pairs of colors as opposing or antagonistic

Opponent-process cells are inhibited by a color, and have a burst of activity when it is removed.

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Afterimages

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.


6.10 – How we know how far away things are

6.11 – Why we see objects as stable even though

sensory stimulation from the object is constantly

changing

6.12 – Why perceptual illusions are valuable to

psychologists

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Form perception Gestalt principles describe the brain’s

organization of sensory building blocks into

meaningful units and patterns.

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Gestalt principles

Proximity Things close to one another are grouped together

Closure The brain tends to fill in gaps to perceive complete forms

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Gestalt principles Similarity Things that are alike are perceived together

Continuity Seeing continuity in lines that could be interpreted as either continuous or abruptly shifting in direction.

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6

Which Gestalt principle is illustrated by the fact that we see columns of dots rather than rows in this diagram?

1. Similarity

2. Proximity

3. Closure

4. Continuity

Your turn

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Depth and distance perception Binocular cues: Visual cues that require the use of both eyes

Convergence Turning inward of the eyes, which occurs when they focus on a nearby object

Retinal disparity The slight difference in lateral separation between two objects as seen by the right and left eyes

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Depth and distance perception

Monocular cues: Visual cues that can be used by one eye

Interposition When an object is interposed between the viewer and a second object,

partly blocking the view of the second object, the first object is

perceived as being closer.

Linear perspective When two lines known to be parallel appear to be coming together or

converging (say, railroad tracks), they imply the existence of depth.

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Visual constancies

The accurate perception of objects as stable or unchanged despite changes in the sensory patterns they produce

Shape constancy

Location constancy

Size constancy

Brightness constancy

Color constancy

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Which is correct?

A friend is walking toward you but does not seem

to be growing in size. This is called:

A. Shape constancy

B. Location constancy

C. Size constancy

D. Brightness constancy

E. Color constancy

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Which is correct?

Snow remains white even on a cloudy day and a

black car remains black even on a sunny day. This

is called:

A. Shape constancy

B. Location constancy

C. Size constancy

D. Brightness constancy

E. Color constancy

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 The Müller-Lyer illusion

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Color in context

The way you perceive a color depends on the surrounding colors.

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Fooling the eye

The cats in (a) are the same size.

The diagonal lines in (b) are parallel.

You can create a “floating fingertip frankfurter” by holding hands as shown, 5–10 inches in front of face.

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 What do you think?

Illusions are valuable because they are systematic

errors that provide us with hints about the

perceptual strategies of the mind.

A. True

B. False

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.


6.13 – The basics of how we hear

6.14 – How we locate the source of a sound

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 What we hear

Loudness The dimension of auditory experience related to the intensity of a pressure wave

Pitch The dimension of auditory experience related to the frequency of a pressure wave

Timbre The dimension of auditory experience related to the complexity of a pressure wave

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 An ear on the world

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Auditory localization

Sounds from different directions are not identical as

they arrive at left and right ears.

Loudness

Timing

Phase

The brain calculates a sound’s location by using these

differences.

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.


A sound arriving from the right reaches the right

ear at the same time it reaches the left ear.

A. True

B. False

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.


6.15 – The basics of how we taste, smell, and feel

6.16 – Why you have trouble tasting your food

when you have a cold

6.17 – Why pain is complicated to understand and

treat

6.18 – How two senses inform us of the movement

of our own bodies

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Taste: Savory sensations

Papillae Knoblike elevations on the tongue, containing the taste buds

Taste buds Nests of taste-receptor cells

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Basic tastes

Five basic tastes Salty, sour, bitter, sweet, and umami

Different people have different tastes based on: Genetics

Culture

Learning

Food attractiveness

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.


The five basic tastes are part of our evolutionary

heritage.

A. True

B. False

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Smell: The sense of scents Airborne chemical molecules enter the nose and circulate through the nasal cavity.

Vapors can also enter through the mouth and pass into nasal cavity.

Receptors on the roof of the nasal cavity detect these

molecules.

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 What do you know?

Odors can have a psychological effect on you.

A. True

B. False

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Senses of the skin

The basic skin senses include touch (or pressure),

warmth, cold, and pain.

Within these four types are variations such as itch,

tickle, and painful burning.

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.


Sometimes the sensation of pain can linger a long

time after the pain inducing stimulus is removed.

A. True

B. False

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Gate-control theory of pain Experience of pain depends in part on whether the pain gets past a neurological “gate” in the spinal cord.

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Expectations and pain

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 The environment within

Kinesthesis The sense of body position and movement of body parts

Equilibrium The sense of balance

Semicircular canals Sense organs in the inner ear, which contribute to equilibrium by

responding to rotation of the head

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.


6.19 – Whether babies see the world in the way

adults do

6.20 – What happens when people who are born

blind or deaf have their sight or hearing restored

6.21 – How psychological factors affect perception

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Inborn abilities: The visual cliff Glass surface, with checkerboard underneath at different heights Visual illusion of a cliff

The baby cannot fall

Mom stands across the gap.

Babies show increased attention over deep side at age 2 months, but aren’t afraid until about the age they can crawl.

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 What do you know?

Newborns and infants see as well as adults.

A. True

B. False

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Critical period

If infants miss out on experiences during a crucial period of time, perception will be impaired.

When adults who have been blind since birth have vision restored, they may not see well.

Other senses such as hearing may be influenced similarly.

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Psychological and cultural influences We are more likely to perceive something when we need it.

What we believe can affect what we perceive.

Emotions, such as fear, can influence perceptions of sensory information.

Expectations based on previous experiences can influence perception.

Perceptual set: A habitual way of perceiving, based on expectations

All are influenced by culture.

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.


6.22 – That perception is often unconscious

6.23 – Whether “subliminal perception” will help

you lose weight or reduce your stress

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.


Your friend wants to lose weight and is trying to

decide whether to purchase tapes that use

subliminal persuasion to help with his weight loss.

What would you recommend he do?

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Priming

A method used to ensure unconscious processes, in which a person is exposed to information and is later tested to see whether the information affects behavior or performance on another task or in another situation Findings suggest simple primes influence perception, memory,

thinking, and decision-making.

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Perception vs. persuasion

Although subliminal priming can influence judgments and preferences, research doesn’t support its success in major levels of persuasion.

PSYCHOLOGY 10 E

©2

01

1 P

ea

rso

n E

du

ca

tio

n, In

c. A

ll R

igh

ts R

es

erv

ed

.

6 Extrasensory perception

ESP The ability to perceive something without ordinary sensory

information

Has not been scientifically demonstrated

Sensation and Perception - Columbia Southern University · Sensation and Perception . PSYCHOLOGY 10...

Documents

Transcript of Sensation and Perception - Columbia Southern University · Sensation and Perception . PSYCHOLOGY 10...