PSYC 2000 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Subliminal Stimuli, Absolute Threshold, Neural Adaptation
Document Summary
To represent the world, we must detect physical energy (stimuli) from the environment and convert it into neural signals, a process called sensation. Sensation: occurs when special receptors in the sense organs are activated, allowing various forms of outside stimuli to become neural signals in the brain. The process of converting outside stimuli into neural activity is called transduction- sensory receptors are : when we select, organize, and interpret our sensations, the process is called perception. Perception occurs when we give meaning to our sensations, interpreting them so we can . Taste (gustation): food molecules that enter mouth and attach to receptors causing them to fire. Vision (photons): activate photoreceptors, light and photons. Hearing (audition): sound waves are converted to action potentials. Touch: somatosensation, pressure and pain and temperature, activate receptors on skin. Difference threshold: minimum difference between two stimuli required for detection. 50% of the time, also called just noticeable difference (jnd).
