Sensation and Perception Review

● Contrast sensation and perception.

● Distinguish between absolute and difference thresholds.
● Explain the difference between subliminal and priming
● Describe the phenomenon of sensory adaptation; distinguish it from habituation
● Explain the visual process, including the stimulus input, the structure of the eye, and the transduction of light energy.
● Recognize the opposing colors associated with the opponent-process theory of color vision, and the relationship between
this theory and after-images and color blindness.
● Explain the auditory process, including the stimulus input and the structure of the ear.
● Explain place and frequency theories of pitch perception and describe how we locate sounds.
● Describe the sense of touch and explain the basis of pain.
● Describe the senses of taste and smell and comment on the nature of sensory interaction.
● Distinguish between kinesthesis and the vestibular sense.
● Describe how the process of perception is directed and limited by selective attention
● Discuss Gestalt psychology’s contribution to our understanding of psychology.
● Explain the figure-ground relationship, and identify the principles of grouping in form perception.
● Discuss research of depth perception involving the use of the visual cliff, and describe the binocular and monocular cues in
depth perception.
● Describe stroboscopic movement and the phi phenomenon.
● Describe the perceptual constancies
● Describe the debate over the role of nature and nurture in perception, and discuss what research findings on sensory
deprivation and restored vision have contributed to this debate.
● Discuss the effects that experiences, assumptions, expectations, and context have on our perceptions.

Signal detection theory Weber’s law Gate control theory Phi phenomenon
Sensory interaction Transduction Parallel processing Interposition
Subliminal Sensory adaptation Pupil Visual capture
Sensation Optic nerve Lens Perceptual set
Perception Frequency theory Retina Stroboscopic movement
Difference threshold Place theory Fovea Convergence
Absolute threshold Opponent-process theory Blind spot Gestalt
Vestibular sense Ear drum Afterimage Texture gradient
Proprioceptors Pinna Substance P Depth perception
Semicircular canals Rods Oval window Linear perspective
Cochlea Cones Basilar membrane Relative height
Gustatory Bipolar cells Hammer, anvil, stirrup Relative size
Kinesthesis Ganglion cells Selective attention Relative clarity
Hair cells Iris Retinal disparity Perceptual set
Accommodation Olfaction Size constancy Context effect
Hue Trichromatic theory Gustation Human factors psychology