AP Psychology 12

Ch. 5 Review
SENSATION

Absolute Threshold
The
intensity at
which we
can detect
a stimulus
half the
time!

SIGNAL DETECTION THEORY

How and when we detect a
faint stimulus (signal) amid
background stimulation
(noise)
There is no single absolute
threshold
Detection depends on a
persons experience,
AND fatigue!

Subliminal Stimulation

an a person detect a subliminal stimulus

It is below ones absolute

threshold for conscious
awareness so
False!

What is Transduction?
Energy is converted
from one form to
another.
In sensation, it is
the transference
from stimulus
energy into neural
impulses;
Sound is converted
via hair cells; light
is converted

Cochlea function?

The Cochlea
fluid triggers
the neural
messages
through the
hair cells

Intensity and wavelength

Intensity is the
brightness
(amount of energy
in wavelength)
Wavelength is
the hue or colour
(distance from
peak to peak)

Wa v e l e n g t h

Amplitude and Frequency

Amplitude is
loudness
(peak to
trough)
Frequency is
pitch
(wavelength)

Physical properties of waves

Short wavelength = High frequency
Long wavelength = Low frequency
Great amplitude = Bright colour; loud sound (high
intens.) peak to trough
Small amplitude = Dull colour; soft sounds (low
intensity)

Decibels and loudness

Every 10 decibels
correspond to a
tenfold increase in
sound
Normal conversation
compared to the
hospital sounds is
100 times as loud!

Iris
Is the
Aperture, or
coloured
muscle
opening
mechanism,
for the pupil

Lens
Accommodat
es the light;
changes
shape to
focus
images

Semicircular canal
The vestibular sense is
within the ear
The semicircular canal
notes the bodys head
rotations (voluntary
and involuntary)
Three circular tubes
with fluid; it can sense
when the fluid is
moving

Parallel Processing
We simultaneously process
pitch, frequency

Colour vision
Cones sensitive to green, red,
& blue
Young-Helmholtz
trichromatic (3-colour)
theory: Retina has 3 colour
receptors; each one is specially
sensitive to each colour

Colour Constancy
The colour
is the same
even if light
reflects
changes

Accurate sound location

Your ears
need to be
stimulated on
the Right &
Left

Specialized touch sensations

Warmth
Pain
Cold
Pressure

Gate Control Theory

Spinal cord is
neurological
gate
Small fibers
open pain gate
Large fibers
close pain gate

Taste receptors in tongue

How many?

200 +

Memories and
odors
Fragrant odors trigger
memories (primal:
smell is primitive)
Infants learn to
recognize scent of
mother