Scribd
Upload
3 views6 pages

Psychology Lesson 3

The document provides an overview of sensation and perception, detailing how sensory organs detect stimuli and how the brain interprets this information. It covers key concepts such as sensory thresholds, sensory adaptation, and the anatomy of the senses, including vision, hearing, taste, and smell. Additionally, it discusses perceptual organization principles and offers study tips for understanding these concepts.

Uploaded by

lohjerick
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
3 views6 pages

Psychology Lesson 3

The document provides an overview of sensation and perception, detailing how sensory organs detect stimuli and how the brain interprets this information. It covers key concepts such as sensory thresholds, sensory adaptation, and the anatomy of the senses, including vision, hearing, taste, and smell. Additionally, it discusses perceptual organization principles and offers study tips for understanding these concepts.

Uploaded by

lohjerick
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 6

Topic: Sensation and Perception

This is a core area of study that explores how we detect and interpret sensory
information from the world around us.

Introduction to Psychology – Lesson 3 Notes

Topic: Sensation and Perception

Course Level: College

Prepared by: [Your Name]

What Is Sensation?

Sensation is the process by which our sensory organs receive and detect
physical stimuli from the environment.

Senses involved:

Vision

Hearing

Taste

Smell
Touch

(Also: balance, body position, pain, temperature)

Transduction – Conversion of physical energy into neural signals

What Is Perception?

Perception is how our brain organizes, interprets, and gives meaning to


sensory input.

Involves cognitive processes like:

Attention

Expectation

Past experiences

Context

Sensory Thresholds

Term Description
Absolute Threshold Minimum stimulation needed to detect a stimulus
50% of the time

Difference Threshold (Just Noticeable Difference, JND) Minimum difference


between two stimuli to detect change

Weber’s Law JND is proportional to the magnitude of the original


stimulus

Sensory Adaptation

Reduced sensitivity to constant stimuli

Examples: Not noticing your perfume after a few minutes, or adjusting to dim
light

Vision: The Most Studied Sense

Parts of the Eye:

Part Function

Cornea Protects eye, bends light

Pupil Regulates light entry

Iris Colored muscle controlling pupil

Lens Focuses light onto retina

Retina Contains photoreceptors (rods/cones)

Optic nerve Sends visual info to brain


Photoreceptors:

Rods: Night vision, black & white

Cones: Color vision, detail

Hearing (Audition)

Key Concepts:

Sound waves: Vibrations in the air

Amplitude: Loudness

Frequency: Pitch

Ear Anatomy:

Outer ear → Ear canal → Eardrum → Ossicles → Cochlea → Auditory nerve

Taste & Smell

Taste (Gustation): Sweet, salty, sour, bitter, umami


Smell (Olfaction): Strongly linked to emotion and memory (processed in limbic
system)

Touch and Other Senses

Somatosensory system: Touch, pressure, temperature, pain

Vestibular sense: Balance and spatial orientation (inner ear)

Kinesthetic sense: Body movement and position

Perceptual Organization

Principle Explanation

Figure-ground Distinguish object (figure) from background

Grouping (Gestalt) We naturally organize stimuli into groups

Depth perception Ability to perceive 3D using cues (binocular/monocular)

Perceptual constancy Objects remain the same despite changes in


appearance (e.g., size, shape, color constancy)

Extra: Illusions

Visual illusions show how perception is not always reality


Demonstrates top-down processing and how expectations influence
perception

Study Tips for Sensation & Perception

Memorize parts of the eye and ear with labeled diagrams

Understand difference between sensation (raw input) and perception


(interpretation)

Practice applying perceptual principles to real-life examples or images

Try explaining illusions and perceptual errors to a friend

End of Lesson 3 Notes

Next Topic: States of Consciousness (Sleep, Dreams, Hypnosis, etc.)

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy