Sensation What is it? What is it? The process by which sensory systems & the nervous system receive stimuli from the environment. It results from sources of energy like light & sound or the presence of chemicals, as in smell & taste. What is it? The process by which sensory systems & the nervous system receive stimuli from the environment. It results from sources of energy like light & sound or the presence of chemicals, as in smell & taste.

Perception The psychological process of organizing and interpreting incoming sensory information. Perception reflects learning, expectations, & attitudes.

Absolute Threshold The weakest amount of a stimulus that can be sensed. Ex. Hearing Test Animals have a different threshold than humans Ex. Dogs

Absolute Threshold Example: the dimmest visible star in the sky would be right at the absolute threshold for vision because it is just barely bright enough for you to see. Example: the least amount of basil you can put in the spaghetti sauce before tasting it

Difference Threshold The minimum difference to detect that two stimuli are not the same. Ex. Paint samples How much more color do you need to add until it looks different?

Signal-Detection Theory Predicts how & when we detect the presence of a faint stimulus (signal) amid background simulation (noise). How loud is a noise? What psychological state are you in? Example: You walk to your car… it is late at night, you are alone, in an empty parking lot. 1) What would you stimulus be at this time? 2) How would it be different during the day?

Sensory Adaptation Diminished sensitivity to constant & unchanging stimulation. When stimulation is constant and unchanging, you eventually fail to respond because you usually don’t need to. Ex: Dark Theater= when you first walk in, you can’t see well… after your eyes adjust you can. Ex: You jump in the lake & at first it is FrEeZiNg! Then, your body “gets used to it” Ex: You smell a perfume that is really strong in your classroom, but after awhile you hardly smell it anymore. Can you think of more examples?

Selective Attention Focusing conscious awareness on a particular stimulus to the exclusion of others. You only hear what you want to hear. You only see what you want to see, etc. You get what you want to get out of a situation. Example: This helps you function in a busy, noisy world. If you are reading a book in a busy park with kids playing & screaming, you hardly even hear them because you are “selectively choosing” to put your attention on the book. Can you think of more examples?

Write down what you see?

Stroop Test- Our brains make it difficult for us to process two stimuli at one time.