AP Psychology Vocab

Minimum difference between any two stimuli that a person can detect 50% of the time.

• Weber's Law
• Absolute threshold
• Difference threshold

The weakest level of a stimulus that can be correctly detected at least 50% of the time.

• opponent process theory
• absolute threshold
• perceptual constancy

Focusing conscious awareness on a particular stimulus. 

• selective attention
• Weber's Law
• parallel processing

The study of paranormal events that investigates claims of ESP. 

• perceptual constancy
• hypnosis
• parapsychology

Information processing that begins with sensory receptors and works up into the brain.

• top down processing
• subliminal processing
• bottom up processing

Receiving messages below one's absolute threshold for conscious awareness.  

• Weber's law
• difference threshold
• subliminal stimulation

Difference thresholds increase in proportion to the size of the stimulus.

• Difference threshold
• Weber's law
• Absolute threshold

Temporary decrease in sensitivity to a stimulus that occurs when stimulation is unchanging. (nose blindness - like when you don't notice a musty smell after a few minutes)

• absolute threshold

• schemas

• sensory adaptation

information processing guided by your pre existing knowledge or expectations to construct perceptions.

• top down processing
• Bottom up processing
• parallel processing

The process by which your ears convert sound waves to neural impulses is called...

• sensory adaptation

• accommodation

• parallel processing

• sensory introduction

• Transduction