PSYC 100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Detection Theory, Gustav Fechner, Psychophysics

• School: Simon Fraser University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 100
• Professor: A.George Alder

Document Summary

Sensation: strictly involves the stimulation of the sense organs. Involves selection, organization and interpretation of sensatory inputs. Psychophysics: gustav fechner (1801-1887, thresholds, dividing point between energy levels that do and do not have a noticeable effect. Thresholds: absolute thresholds, minimum amount of stimulation than a organism can detect for a specific sensory input, difference thresholds, minimum difference between two stimuli for the person to be able to detect them as different. Signal detection theory (paper: tolbert, 2006, signal detection theory and the diagnosis of learning disabilities. Stimulus sounds: wavelength, related to frequency of sound, amplitude, related to loudness of sound, timbre, related to the purity of sound. Cochlea: basilar membrane, once the hair cells vibrate they create the electrical signals. Perception of sound: place theory, helmholtz 1863, von bekesy 1957, frequency theory, rutherford 1886, volley theory, reconciliation, 20 -1000 hz frequency/ volley theory, 1000 5000 hz volley & place coding, over 5000 hz place coding.