Unit 1.2 Perception

• What is sensation?

  The bottom-up process of receiving sensory information
• What is perception?

  The top-down cognitive process of interpreting sensory information
• How does perception differ from sensation?

  Perception involves thinking, sensation involves feeling
• What are sensory receptors?

  Specialised cells that detect changes and produce impulses
• What do sense organs contain?

  Groups of receptors that respond to specific stimuli
• What do eyes detect?

  Light
• What do skin receptors detect?

  Touch
• What is the process of sensation and perception?

  1. Specialized cells translate information into signals.
  2. Signals sent to the brain via nerves.
  3. Brain interprets information to create a sensory picture.
  4. Brain combines info with previous experiences.
  5. Brain uses information to help the body react.
• What is the first step in the process of sensation and perception?

  Specialized cells translate information into signals
• What does the brain do with sensory information?

  Creates a complete sensory picture of the environment
• How does the brain use sensory information?

  To help the body react, communicate, and stay safe
• What does the retina contain?

  Cells that detect light and colour
• What happens to light when it enters the eye?

  It passes through the pupil and hits the retina
• What does the pupil do?

  Lets light in by opening or constricting
• What is the function of the lens in the eye?

  Focuses light onto the retina
• What is the optic nerve's role?

  Carries messages from the retina to the brain
• What are the components of the eye and their functions?

  • Iris: Controls the size of the pupil
  • Pupil: Lets light in
  • Lens: Focuses light onto the retina
  • Retina: Light-sensitive layer with receptors
  • Optic nerve: Carries messages to the brain
• How do sound waves affect the ear?

  They vibrate the eardrum and bones in the ear
• What do hair cells in the inner ear do?

  Produce electrical signals that travel to the brain
• What do taste buds on the tongue respond to?

  Chemicals in food
• What do special cells in the nose detect?

  Chemicals in the air
• What do receptors in the skin detect?

  Different types of touch
• What are the types of touch detected by skin receptors?

  • Pressure
  • Vibrations
  • Temperature
• How do the eye and brain work together for vision?

  They produce the sensation of vision through signals
• What do light receptors in the retina do?

  Absorb light and produce electrical signals
• What happens to electrical signals from the retina?

  They pass through the optic nerve to the brain
• What does the brain do with signals from the optic nerve?

  Turns them into images of what we see
• What are visual cues?

  Pieces of visual information from the environment
• How do visual cues help us perceive the world?

  They help us perceive movement, distance, shape, and size
• What is visual constancy?

  Perceiving objects as constant despite changes
• What is the most important type of visual constancy?

  Size constancy
• What does size constancy refer to?

  Perception of an object's size remains constant
• What are depth cues?

  Information that helps us understand depth
• What are monocular depth cues?

  Clues for distance requiring only one eye
• What is occlusion in monocular depth cues?

  Objects that obscure others appear closer
• How does relative size function as a depth cue?

  Smaller objects appear further away
• What does linear perspective indicate?

  Parallel lines converge in the distance
• What does height in plane suggest about objects?

  Higher objects appear further away
• What are binocular depth cues?

  Clues for distance requiring both eyes
• What is retinal disparity?

  Difference in angles viewed by each eye