Psychology Wednesday, 2/8 Something to ponder: “We see things not as they are, but as we are. Our perception is shaped by our previous experiences…” –Dennis Kimbro Please get out your Psychology textbook, a piece of paper and a writing implement.

Today’s Agenda 1.What you wanted to know Clarification Proposed Revised Outline 2.Chapter 4, Section 1-Understanding Sensation and Perception…start 3.To prepare for Class on Friday, 2/9 Read Chapter 4, Section 2

Psych II Course Outline-Revised Psychology II Course Outline-RevisedPsychology II Course Outline-Original Chapter 4 Sensation & Perception Chapter 4 Sensation & Perception Chapter 7 Memory Chapter 8 Thinking & Language Chapter 8 Thinking & Language Chapter 15 Psychological Tests Chapter 9 IntelligenceChapter 16 Gender Roles Chapter 13 Motivation & Emotion Chapter 17 Stress & Health Chapter 15 Psychological Tests Chapter 19 Methods of Therapy Chapter 16 Gender Roles Chapter 21 Social Interaction Chapter 17 Stress & Health Optional: Chapter 7 Memory Possibly: Ch 19 Methods of Therapy Optional: Chapter 20 Social Cognition Possibly: Chapter 20 Social Cognition Possibly: Chapter 21 Social Interaction

Chapter 4-Sensation and Perception The Big Idea: – Sensation and Perception are critical to understanding and living in our environment. Each of the five senses plays a major role in our ability to interpret our surroundings. Essential Questions: 1.What is the process of sensation and what is the relationship between sensations and perceptions? 2.Why are human beings able to see? 3.How does the human ear work and what happens when the ear is damaged? 4.What other senses do humans possess? 5.What is perception?

Objectives 1.Identify the absolute threshold for one of the senses. 2.Identify how your senses have adapted. 3.Identify how and if you use signal detection theory. 4.Identify the five “basic” senses and various absolute thresholds for each.

Ch 4 Sensation and Perception On a piece of paper brainstorm: How many senses do humans have? (Contrary to popular belief people have more than five senses.) Write down as many senses as you can. How do people compensate for lost senses? How do you think you might deal with losing one or more of your five senses?

How Are Your Study Habits? On a piece of paper that you can turn in, please describe: When you read Ch 4, Sec 1… – …who was around you? – …what was going on in the background? – …where were you? – …when did you read it? – …did you annotate, if so how, if not, why not?

Ch 4, Sec 1 What Did You Remember? On that same piece of paper, draw a line, then answer (do NOT use your textbook or your neighbor): What is Sensation? What is Perception? What is Absolute threshold? What is Difference threshold?

Sensation is the stimulation of sensory receptors and the transmission of sensory information to the central nervous system. Stimulation of the senses is automatic. Perception is the psychological process through which we interpret sensory stimulation. Absolute threshold is the weakest amount of a stimulus that can be sensed. Absolute thresholds differ from humans to animals and also from person to person. Absolute Threshold Stimulation of the Senses The minimum amount of difference that can be detected between two stimuli is knows as the difference threshold. People’s individual difference thresholds vary slightly. Difference Threshold

Assess your Study Habits Look back at what you wrote when you described reading Ch 4, Sec 1 On that same piece of paper, draw another line, then answer: – What connections can you make between your study habits and your performance? – What can you do to improve your study habits? Ex: If you read while laying in bed, and then fell asleep last night, then today couldn’t answer any of the questions, you can deduce that laying in bed might not be a good idea when reading. Share with a peer

Stimulation of the Senses What causes automatic stimulation of the senses? Why might two individuals have different perceptions of the same event? What biological factors might account for differing absolute thresholds in hearing? What is the relationship between the absolute threshold and the difference threshold?

Sensory Adaptation What is Sensory adaptation? What stimulus might not be quickly affected by sensory adaptation? What is one example of sensory adaptation related to smell?