Sensation and Perception

Front

What occurs when special receptors in the sense organs are activated?

Back

Sensation occurs.

Front

What is the process of converting outside stimuli into neural activity called?

Back

Transduction.

Front

What are sensory receptors?

Back

Specialized forms of neurons that are stimulated by different kinds of energy.

Front

What is Weber's law of just noticeable differences (jnd)?

Back

It is the smallest difference between two stimuli that is detectable 50 percent of the time.

Front

What does a jnd represent in terms of percentage?

Back

It represents a constant percentage change needed to detect a difference.

Front

What is the absolute threshold?

Back

The lowest level of stimulation that a person can consciously detect 50 percent of the time.

Front

What are subliminal stimuli?

Back

Stimuli that are below the level of conscious awareness.

Front

What is signal detection theory?

Back

A method used to compare judgments under uncertain conditions.

Front

What does signal detection theory assess?

Back

The accuracy of judgments or decisions under uncertain conditions.

Front

What is habituation?

Back

The tendency of the brain to stop attending to constant, unchanging information.