Sensation and Perception in Psychology: Theories and Processes

Sensation and Perception Unit Overview

Psychologist study sensation and perception to explain how and why externally gathered sensations and perceptions impact behaviors and mental processes. Using input from several anatomical structures, the sensations we perceive process and interpret information about the environment around us and our place within it. This results in perceptions that influence how we think and behave. In this way, sensation and perception provide a bridge between the biological and cognitive perspectives, offering aspects of both for explaining how we think an behave.

** Adapted from College Board's AP Psychology Course and Exam Description **

Defining Sensation and Perception

Define

Sensation: Perception:

Sensation (raw data is processed by sensory receptors- eyes, ears, nose, skin, tongue)

Perception (sensations are processed in the brain)

Brain Information (light, sound, etc.)

Occipital lobes of the brain receive sensory information from the eye and process it as a "tree"

Principles of Sensation

Sensory Thresholds

Absolute Threshold

Define:

Percentage of correct detections 100 75 50 25 Subliminal stimuli 0 Low Absolute threshold Medium Intensity of stimulus

Difference Threshold

Define: Just Noticeable Difference (JND): Weber's Law: Transduction: - Lightwaves -Additional Principles

Principles of Perception

Gestalt Psychology

Define Gestalt Psychology:

Define Gestalt:

Gestalt Principles of Organization

Similarity Closure Good Continuation Proximity

Define: Define: Define: Define:

Figure-Ground Relationship

Define: What do you see in this ancient pottery? Is it the face of a man or a crane?

Depth Perception

Differentiate between monocular and binocular cues

Monocular Cues: Binocular Cues:

Monocular Cues of Depth Perception

Identify Eight Monocular Cues of Depth Perception Can you identify four monocular cues in the image provided?

Binocular Cues

Retinal Disparity Convergence

Define: Define:

Perceptual Constancies

Size Constancy Shape Constancy

Define: Define:

O O

The Human Senses

Vision

Label: Fill in the blanks to the eye diagram provided: Vitreous humor

Function: What are the functions of the following parts of the eye? Rods: Cones: Ganglion Cells: Bipolar Cells:

Theories of Vision

Explain the following theories of vision: Trichromatic Theory of Color: Opponent Process Theory of Color: After Image:

Vision Area of the Brain

Which areas of the brain are involved with this sense?

Vision Sensory Disorders

Identify sensory disorders involved with this sense.

Hearing

Label: Fill in the blanks to the eye diagram provided & divide & label the ear diagram to show the outer ear, middle ear & inner ear. pinna malleus incus stapes semicircular canals external ear 12 eustachian tube bone internal carotid artery

Function: What are the functions of the following parts of the ear? Basilar Membrane: Hair Cells:

Theory of Hearing

Explain the following theory of hearing Frequency Theory: Place Theory:

Hearing Area of the Brain

Which areas of the brain are involved with this sense?

Hearing Sensory Disorders

Identify sensory disorders involved with this sense.

Smell

Function: What are the functions of the following parts of smell? Olfaction: Pheromones: Olfactory Bulb:

Smell Area of the Brain

Which areas of the brain are involved with this sense?

Taste

Function: What is the function of the following part of taste? Taste Buds:

Identify: Identify the 5 main tastes What is Umami?

Taste Area of the Brain

Which areas of the brain are involved with this sense?

Touch

Define: Define the following term Pain:

Function: What are the functions of the following parts of touch/pain? Nociceptors: Substance P: Gate Control Theory:

Touch Area of the Brain

Which areas of the brain are involved with this sense?

Kinesthesia

Define: Define the following term: Kinesthetic Sense: Proprioceptors:

Kinesthesia Area of the Brain

Which areas of the brain are involved with this sense?

Vestibular

Define: Define the following term: Vestibular Sense:

Unit Progress Check

Sensation and Perception Learning Objectives

I CAN ...

• Describe general principles of organizing and integrating sensations (gestalt, depth perception, top-down & bottom-up processing) as well as principles of sensory transduction (absolute & difference threshold, signal detection, sensory adaptation).
• Discuss how experience and culture can influence the perceptual process (perceptual set, context effects, schema)
• Describe the vision and hearing process, including the specific nature of energy transduction and relevant anatomical processes, as well as common sensory conditions.
• Describe taste and smell processes, including energy transduction, relevant anatomical structures and pathways to the brain.
• Describe sensory processes, including energy transduction, relevant anatomical structures and pathways to the brain, of each of the body senses (touch, pain, vestibular, kinesthesis).