AP PSYCHOLOGY JOURNAL 3 rd Six Weeks Sensation and Perception Learning

AP Psychology 11/18/2015; 11/20 Journal entry: prosopagnosia. Notes re Sensation – Bottom-up v top-down processing – Psychophysics – Signal detection – Thresholds – Subliminal processing VISION

Journal Entry 11/18 A; 11/20 B prosopagnosia p. 229 Watch the short clip. What is prosopagnosia? Write a paragraph about your reaction to learning about the condition this woman has. 4 prosopagnosia

Introduction to Sensation and Perception I.Sensation is the process by which we receive information from the environment. II.Perception is the process of selecting and identifying information from the environment. III.Psychophysics is the study of the mathematical or functional relationship between physical energy and the psychological experience.

Introduction to Sensation and Perception A. Stimulus: a detectable input from the environment 1.Light- vision 2.Sound- hearing 3.Chemicals- taste and smell 4.Pressure, temperature, pain –sense of touch 5.Orientation, balance- kinesthetic senses.

Introduction to Sensation and Perception B. Environmental information (stimuli) 1.A physical stimulus must first be introduced. For example: air vibrations, gases, chemicals, tactile pressures. 2.Our senses respond to a limited range of environmental stimuli. For example, we cannot hear sound of frequencies above 20,000 Hz, even though dogs can hear them. Can you hear this?

Introduction to Sensation and Perception C. Physical stimuli 1.Light as experienced through vision a.Visible light is part of the electromagnetic spectrum. b.Properties of light a.Intensity (brightness) b.Wavelength (hue) c.Complexity or purity (saturation)

Introduction to Sensation and Perception 2. Sound as experienced through audition. Properties of sound i.Intensity (mainly loudness) ii.Frequency (mainly pitch) iii.Wave form (mainly timbre) iv.There is not a one-to-one relationship between physical properties and perceptual experience. For example, intensity can also influence perception of pitch. Perceptual audio demonstrations

Introduction to Sensation and Perception D. Sensory processes are the initial steps to perception. 1.Transduction is the process of converting energy of a stimulus into neural activity. The stimulus is recoded as a neural pattern. 2.Transduction can be affected by our experiences, such as through adaptation. i.A constant level of stimulus results in a decreased response over time. ii.With continued exposure the neural response may change. iii.Adaptation is also, perceptual, not just sensory.

Introduction to Sensation and Perception II. Perception is the process of selecting and identifying information from the environment. A.The interpretation of information from the environment so that we can identify its meaning. B.Perception involves determination of what a stimulus is. C.Expectations and perception: We make predictions from our knowledge of the world. A.Bottom-up processes begin at the receptor level. B.Top-down processes use knowledge we already possess and allows us to form expectations.

12 Bottom-up Processing Analysis of the stimulus begins with the sense receptors and works up to the level of the brain and mind. Letter “A” is really a black blotch broken down into features by the brain that we perceive as an “A.”

13 Top-Down Processing Information processing guided by higher-level mental processes as we construct perceptions, drawing on our experience and expectations. THE CHT

14 Our sensory and perceptual processes work together to help us sort out complex images. Making Sense of Complexity “The Forest Has Eyes,” Bev Doolittle

Introduction to Sensation and Perception III. Psychophysics 1.Absolute threshold The point at which a stimulus can be detected 50% of the time. 2. Difference threshold. Also called JND (Just noticeable difference) The minimal change in stimulation that can be reliably predicted 50% of the time. 3. Weber’s Law: it is harder to detect a change in a really strong stimulus. Absolute threshold

Introduction to Sensation and Perception Psychophysics B. Signal detection theory How individuals are able to detect a minimum stimulus (signal) among other background stimuli. May affect how individuals make decisions. Examples: Parents of newborn Patrolling in Iraq Monitoring patients in ICU Airport scanner

Introduction to Sensation and Perception Psychophysics C. Subliminal stimulation claims make two assumptions 1.We can unconsciously sense stimuli below the threshold 2.These stimuli have suggestive powers. 3.Do they work? Under certain conditions, yes. a.An invisible image may prime your response to a later question. Example: kittens b. Researchers say priming is a subtle, fleeting effect. Double-blind procedures show subliminal self-help tapes show no therapeutic effect.

Introduction to Sensation and Perception Psychophysics D. Receptor sensitivity is subject to change. 1.Sensory Adaptation: a decline in receptor activity when stimuli are unchanging. a.Helps us focus on informative changes. b.Alert to novelty 2.Habituation or adaptation: a decline in response due to the repeated presentation of the stimulus; this happens at the neural level. We perceive the world not exactly as it is, but as it is useful to us to perceive it.

20 Sensory Adaptation Diminished sensitivity as a consequence of constant stimulation. Put a band aid on your arm and after awhile you don’t sense it.

brad wray mosquito teen repeller Signal detection theory

AP Psychology Lessons 11/23; 11/24 Journal Prompt: Feature detectors Elementary concepts of vision, Inverted vision Elementary concepts of vision Diagram eye Vision quiz next class.

Journal Prompt 11/23; 11/24 Watch the video on Elementary concepts of vision. Prompt: Write in complete sentences. What does Hubel and Wiesel’s experiment with the cat tell us about feature detectors? Learning Goal: Describe the visual sensory system.

Identify the eye or brain part by function. Draw the parts on the large paper. Label the parts. 1.Focuses incoming light 2.No receptor cells where the optic nerve leaves the eye 3.Passes light through 4.Converts particles of light energy into neural impulses 5.Hotline to the brain from the cones 6.Protects the eye and bends light to focus 7.Adjusts light intake 8.Chemical reaction activates nearby ganglion cells 9.Axons converge to carry information to the brain 10.Detect black white and gray, useful in dim light 11.Detect line detail and color sensations 12.Area of focus 13.Ganglion axons synapse with neurons 14.Respond to a scene’s edges, lines, angles, and movement.

Lessons A Day 11/30 Quiz on Vision 12/2 Perception 12/4 Classical Conditioning 12/7 Operant Conditioning 12/9 Learning 12/14 Learning 12/16 2 nd period final B Day 12/1 Quiz on Vision 12/3 Perception 12/8 Classical Conditioning 12/10 Operant Conditioning 12/11 Learning 12/15 6 th period final

AP Psychology Lessons 11/30; 12/1 Journal prompt: Hearing Drawing an eye Vision Quiz

Journal Prompt 11/30; 12/1 LO: Describe the auditory sensory system. p What is the importance of the hair cells in the cochlea? How can we be kind to our hair cells? What signal will we get if the hair cells are unhappy?

AP Psychology Lesson 12/2; 12/3 Journal Prompt: Pain Sensation and Perception Next Open notes quiz

29 Gate-Control Theory Melzack and Wall (1965, 1983) proposed that our spinal cord contains neurological “gates” that either block pain or allow it to be sensed. Gary Comer/ PhototakeUSA.com

Sensation and Perception Biopsychosocial approach to pain p. 255 * Copy the diagram on page 257. How could an understanding of each of these factors help alleviate pain? Create a chart. 1)Gate control theory (Melzack and Wall) 2)Endorphins (Cox) 3)Memories of pain (Kahneman) 4)Cultural expectations (Symbaluk) 5)Placebos (Kaptchuk) 6)Virtual reality games (258)