AP Psychology Sensation & Perception Vocab

Front

Sensation

Back

The process by which our sensory receptors and nervous system receive and represent stimulus energies from our environment.

Front

Perception: process of organizing and interpreting sensory info to recognize meaningful objects/events.

Back

the process of organizing and interpreting sensory information, enabling us to recognize meaningful objects and events

Front

Bottom-up processing

Back

Analysis starting with sensory receptors, leading to brain's integration of sensory info.

Front

Top-down processing

Back

Information processing guided by higher-level mental processes, constructing perceptions from experience and expectations.

Front

Absolute Threshold

Back

Minimum stimulation to detect a stimulus 50% of the time.

Front

Difference Threshold

Back

Minimum difference between two stimuli for detection 50% of the time (just noticeable difference).

Front

Subliminal

Back

below one's absolute threshold for conscious awareness

Front

Priming

Back

Activation of certain associations, often unconsciously, influencing perception, memory, or response.

Front

Transduction

Back

Conversion of one form of energy into another (transforming stimulus energies like sights, sounds, and smells into neural impulses our brains can interpret.)

Front

Sensory adaptation

Back

Diminished sensitivity due to constant stimulation.