Sensation (College Board AP® Psychology): Flashcards
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Define sensation.
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Cards in this collection (50)
Define sensation.
Sensation is the process of detecting stimuli from the environment and converting them into neural signals sent to the brain for processing.
Define transduction.
Transduction is the conversion of a stimulus, such as light or sound, into a neural signal the brain can process.
Which structure acts as the brain's central relay station for sensory signals?
The thalamus acts as the brain's central relay station, directing incoming sensory signals to the appropriate sensory cortex.
True or False?
All five senses route their signals through the thalamus before reaching the cortex.
False.
Olfaction (smell) is the one sense that bypasses the thalamus, routing directly to the amygdala and hippocampus in the limbic system.
What is the key difference between sensation and perception?
Sensation detects raw stimuli, while perception interprets and gives meaning to those stimuli.
Define absolute threshold.
Absolute threshold is the minimum level of stimulation that can be detected at least 50 percent of the time.
Weber's Law states that the just noticeable difference is a constant __________________ of the original stimulus.
Weber's Law states that the just noticeable difference is a constant proportion of the original stimulus.
Define just noticeable difference (JND).
Just noticeable difference (JND), also called the difference threshold, is the smallest difference between two stimuli that can be reliably detected.
In signal detection theory, what term describes correctly detecting a signal that is present?
A hit is when a signal is present and the participant correctly detects it.
In signal detection theory, what term describes reporting a signal when none is present?
A false alarm is when a signal is absent but the participant reports detecting it.
Define sensory adaptation.
Sensory adaptation is a decrease in sensitivity to a constant, unchanging stimulus over time.
Define synesthesia.
Synesthesia is a neurological phenomenon in which stimulation of one sense automatically triggers an experience in another sense.
Define accommodation.
Accommodation is the process by which the lens changes shape to focus light from objects at different distances onto the retina.
Which part of the retina has the highest concentration of cones?
The fovea is the central region of the retina with the highest concentration of cones.
True or False?
The blind spot is consciously noticed as a gap in the visual field under normal conditions.
False.
The brain fills in the gap at the blind spot using surrounding visual information, so it is not consciously perceived.
Which photoreceptors are concentrated in the fovea and detect color and fine detail?
Cones are concentrated in the fovea and detect color and fine detail.
Rods are responsible for dark adaptation, which takes about twenty to thirty __________, whereas light adaptation by cones is much faster.
Rods are responsible for dark adaptation, which takes about twenty to thirty minutes, whereas light adaptation by cones is much faster.
Define trichromatic theory.
Trichromatic theory proposes that the retina contains three types of cone receptors (red, green, and blue) and that combinations of their activation produce all colors.
Which theory of color vision explains afterimages through opposing pairs of ganglion cells?
Opponent-process theory explains afterimages through opposing pairs of ganglion cells: red/green, blue/yellow, and black/white.
What is the key difference between dichromatism and monochromatism?
Dichromatism involves damage to one cone type and causes difficulty along the red/green or blue/yellow continuum, while monochromatism involves damage to two or more cone types and causes vision only in shades of gray.
Define optic chiasm.
The optic chiasm is the point where the optic nerves from each eye cross, so that each hemisphere receives information from the opposite visual field.
Which visual processing stream tracks the location and movement of objects?
The dorsal stream, the "where" pathway, tracks the location and movement of objects.
Define prosopagnosia.
Prosopagnosia, or face blindness, is the inability to recognize faces, caused mainly by damage to the occipital and temporal lobes.
What distinguishes blindsight from typical blindness after occipital lobe damage?
A person with blindsight cannot consciously see but can still respond to visual stimuli, showing visual processing occurs outside conscious awareness.
Which physical property of a sound wave determines its perceived loudness?
Amplitude, the height of the sound wave, determines its perceived loudness.
A sound wave's frequency, measured in Hz, determines its perceived __________.
A sound wave's frequency, measured in Hz, determines its perceived pitch.
Define ossicles.
The ossicles are the three tiny bones of the middle ear (malleus, incus, and stapes) that amplify sound vibrations.
Where does transduction of sound into neural signals occur?
Transduction occurs in the cochlea, where fluid movement bends hair cells on the basilar membrane.
True or False?
Damaged hair cells in the cochlea regenerate over time, so most hearing loss from loud noise is temporary.
False.
Hair cells in the cochlea do not regenerate, so damage from prolonged loud noise causes permanent hearing loss.
Which theory of pitch perception best explains high-pitched sounds?
Place theory best explains high-pitched sounds, as it links pitch to the specific location on the basilar membrane that vibrates most.
Define frequency theory.
Frequency theory proposes that the basilar membrane vibrates at the same rate as the sound wave, and the auditory nerve fires at that same rate.
How does volley theory explain the perception of mid-range frequencies?
Volley theory explains mid-range frequencies by groups of neurons taking turns firing in rapid succession to match the overall sound wave frequency.
Define sound localization.
Sound localization is the brain's ability to determine the direction a sound came from by comparing its timing and loudness at each ear.
What is the key difference between conduction deafness and sensorineural deafness?
Conduction deafness results from damage to the eardrum or ossicles and is often treatable, while sensorineural deafness results from permanent hair cell or auditory nerve damage.
Define presbycusis.
Presbycusis is age-related hearing loss that typically begins with a progressive loss of sensitivity to high-frequency sounds.
Why do people with hearing loss in one ear struggle to locate sounds?
Binaural hearing, using both ears, is essential for sound localization, so losing input from one ear impairs it.
Define oleogustus.
Oleogustus is the basic taste of fat, such as the distinct taste of butter or cream.
What causes a person to be classified as a supertaster?
A supertaster has a very high density of taste buds, making them extremely sensitive to all tastes.
True or False?
Olfactory signals route through the thalamus before reaching the amygdala and hippocampus.
False.
Olfaction bypasses the thalamus entirely, routing directly to the amygdala and hippocampus in the limbic system.
Why does the smell of sunscreen instantly trigger a childhood memory?
Because olfactory signals route directly to the amygdala and hippocampus, bypassing the thalamus, smells can instantly trigger vivid emotional memories.
Define pheromones.
Pheromones are chemical signals produced by animals, and detected via the olfactory system, that trigger specific behavioral or physiological responses in others of the same species.
The sensation of "hot" is produced when warm receptors and cold receptors in the skin are activated __________________________.
The sensation of "hot" is produced when warm receptors and cold receptors in the skin are activated simultaneously.
Why do fingertips have a larger representation in the somatosensory cortex than the back?
The somatosensory cortex represents body parts in proportion to their receptor density, and fingertips have a much higher density of touch receptors than the back.
Define gate control theory.
Gate control theory proposes that the spinal cord contains a neurological "gate" that can open or close to allow or block pain signals from reaching the brain.
Why might an athlete not notice an injury until after a game?
Becoming absorbed in an activity can close the pain "gate" in gate control theory, reducing pain signals reaching the brain during play.
Define phantom limb sensation.
Phantom limb sensation is the experience of sensation or pain in a limb that has been amputated, caused by the somatosensory cortex retaining a representation of it.
How do endorphins reduce pain perception?
Endorphins are naturally produced brain chemicals that bind to pain receptors and reduce pain perception, as seen in the "runner's high."
Which receptor structures detect the body's overall orientation and balance?
The semicircular canals in the inner ear detect the body's overall orientation and balance.
Define kinesthesis.
Kinesthesis is the sense of the position and movement of individual body parts, detected by receptors in the muscles, tendons, and joints.
Why does motion sickness occur?
Motion sickness occurs when visual information (the eyes say you are still) conflicts with vestibular information (the canals say you are moving).
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