1. Sensation and perception
How do we construct our representations of the external world?

2. Unit 4 Essential Questions
1. What is the process by which our sensory receptors and nervous system receive and represent stimulus energies from our environment?   
2. What is the human process of organizing and interpreting sensory information, enabling humans to recognize meaningful objects and events?

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

4. perception
The process of organizing and interpreting information, enabling us to recognize meaningful objects and events

5. bottom-up processing
Analysis that begins with the sense receptors and works up to the brain’s integration of sensory information

6. top-down processing
Information processing guided by higher level mental processes, as when we construct perceptions drawing on our experiences and expectations.

7. What stimuli can we detect?

8. absolute threshold http://www.ultrasoni c-ringtones.com/
The minimum stimulation required to detect a particular stimulus.

9. signal detection theory
Predicts how and when we detect the presence of a faint stimulus (“signal”). Assumes that there is no single absolute threshold, instead detection depends on a person’s experience, expectations, motivation, and level of fatigue.

10. subliminal
Below one’s absolute threshold for conscious thought.

11. difference threshold
The minimum difference that a subject can detect between two stimuli 50% of the time. A “just noticeable difference”

12. sensory adaptation
Diminished sensitivity as a consequence of constant stimulation.