Sensation and Perception

The ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses. The psychological process by which we become aware of something.

• sesation

• perception

• the five senses

• neurons

Eliza can smell the slightest hint of smoke in the air, while Jonathan cannot. Jonathan can see a very small fire burning 30 miles away, while Eliza cannot. This is an example of differences in ________________ between the two individuals.

• nerves

• CNS

• absolute threshold

The smallest amount by which two sensory stimuli can differ in order for an individual to perceive them as different

• stimuli threshold

• difference threshold

• absolute threshold

An example of signal detection theory:

• A mother recognizes her child's cry on the playground even though there are many children playing

• We hear a cat meowing at the dog park

• You recognize the sound of a bird chirping

• You hear the doorbell ring while you are napping

The diminished sensitivity to a stimulus as a consequence of constant exposure to that stimulus.

• A sister doesn't notice her brother's new haircut because he gets a haircut every two weeks

• A person that smokes can't smell cigarette smoke on their clothes

• A person that eats hot peppers all of the time doesn't think the new bottled sauce is very hot even though everyone else does.

• all of the above

The gate control theory of pain asserts that non-painful input closes the "gates" to painful input, which prevents pain sensation from traveling to the central nervous system. Therefore, stimulation by non-noxious input is able to suppress pain. An example is

• sneezing distracts from the pain of an immunization

• getting chased by a zombie is worse than an immunization

Gestalt principle?

• Similarty
• Figure/Ground
• Proximity
• Continuation

Gestalt principle?

• Closure
• Proximity
• Figure/Ground
• Continuation

Gestalt principle?

• Similarity
• Closure
• Figure/Ground
• Proximity

Gestalt principle?

• Continuation
• Proximity
• Closure
• Figure/Ground