Page 1 of 18
PSU PSYCH 100 EXAM 2 WITH 100% CORRECT
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
signal detection theory - answer-a theory predicting how and when
we detect the presence of a faint stimulus (signal) amid background
stimulation (noise). Assumes there is no single absolute threshold
and that detection depends partly on a person's experience,
expectations, motivation, and alertness.
sensation - answer-the process by which our sensory receptors and
nervous system receive and represent stimulus energies from our
environment
perception - answer-the process of organizing and interpreting
sensory information, enabling us to recognize meaningful objects
and events
bottom-up processing - answer-analysis that begins with the
sensory receptors and works up to the brain's integration of sensory
information
top-down processing - answer-information processing guided by
higher level mental processes, as when we construct perceptions
drawing on our experience and expectations
transduction - answer-conversion of one form of energy into
another. In sensation, the transforming of stimulus energies, such
as sights, sounds, and smells, into neural impulses our brain can
interpret
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psychophysics - answer-the study of the relationships between the
physical characteristics of stimuli, such as their intensity and our
psychological experience of them
absolute threshold - answer-the minimum stimulation needed to
detect a particular stimulus 50 percent of the time
subliminal - answer-below one's absolute threshold for conscious
awareness
priming - answer-the activation, often unconsciously, of certain
associations, thus predisposing one's perception, memory, or
response
difference threshold - answer-the minimum difference between two
stimuli required for detection 50 percent of the time.
Weber's Law - answer-the principle that, to be perceived as
different, two stimuli must differ by a given percentage
sensory adaptation - answer-diminished sensitivity as a
consequence of constant stimulation
perceptual set - answer-a mental predisposition to perceive one
thing and not the other
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wavelength - answer-the distance from the peak of one light or
sound wave to the peak of the next. electromagnetic wavelengths
vary from the short blips of cosmic rays to the long pulses of radio
transmission
hue - answer-the dimension of color that is determined by the
wavelength of light; when we know as the color names
intensity - answer-the amount of energy in a light or sound wave,
which we perceive as brightness or loudness, as determined by the
wave's amplitude
pupil - answer-the adjustable opening in the center of the eye which
light enters
iris - answer-a ring of muscle tissue that forms the colored portion
of the eye around the pupil and controls the size of the pupil
opening
lens - answer-the transparent structure behind the pupil that
changes shape to help focus images on the retina
retina - answer-the light-sensitive inner surface of the eye,
containing the receptor rods and cones plus layers of neurons that
begin the processing of visual information
accomodation - answer-the process by which the eye's lens changes
shape to focus near or far objects on the retina
PSU PSYCH 100 EXAM 2 WITH 100% CORRECT
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
signal detection theory - answer-a theory predicting how and when
we detect the presence of a faint stimulus (signal) amid background
stimulation (noise). Assumes there is no single absolute threshold
and that detection depends partly on a person's experience,
expectations, motivation, and alertness.
sensation - answer-the process by which our sensory receptors and
nervous system receive and represent stimulus energies from our
environment
perception - answer-the process of organizing and interpreting
sensory information, enabling us to recognize meaningful objects
and events
bottom-up processing - answer-analysis that begins with the
sensory receptors and works up to the brain's integration of sensory
information
top-down processing - answer-information processing guided by
higher level mental processes, as when we construct perceptions
drawing on our experience and expectations
transduction - answer-conversion of one form of energy into
another. In sensation, the transforming of stimulus energies, such
as sights, sounds, and smells, into neural impulses our brain can
interpret
, Page 2 of 18
psychophysics - answer-the study of the relationships between the
physical characteristics of stimuli, such as their intensity and our
psychological experience of them
absolute threshold - answer-the minimum stimulation needed to
detect a particular stimulus 50 percent of the time
subliminal - answer-below one's absolute threshold for conscious
awareness
priming - answer-the activation, often unconsciously, of certain
associations, thus predisposing one's perception, memory, or
response
difference threshold - answer-the minimum difference between two
stimuli required for detection 50 percent of the time.
Weber's Law - answer-the principle that, to be perceived as
different, two stimuli must differ by a given percentage
sensory adaptation - answer-diminished sensitivity as a
consequence of constant stimulation
perceptual set - answer-a mental predisposition to perceive one
thing and not the other
, Page 3 of 18
wavelength - answer-the distance from the peak of one light or
sound wave to the peak of the next. electromagnetic wavelengths
vary from the short blips of cosmic rays to the long pulses of radio
transmission
hue - answer-the dimension of color that is determined by the
wavelength of light; when we know as the color names
intensity - answer-the amount of energy in a light or sound wave,
which we perceive as brightness or loudness, as determined by the
wave's amplitude
pupil - answer-the adjustable opening in the center of the eye which
light enters
iris - answer-a ring of muscle tissue that forms the colored portion
of the eye around the pupil and controls the size of the pupil
opening
lens - answer-the transparent structure behind the pupil that
changes shape to help focus images on the retina
retina - answer-the light-sensitive inner surface of the eye,
containing the receptor rods and cones plus layers of neurons that
begin the processing of visual information
accomodation - answer-the process by which the eye's lens changes
shape to focus near or far objects on the retina
