sensation
The process by which our sensory receptors and nervous system receive and represent stimulus energies from our environment
perception
The process of organizing and interpreting sensory information, enabling us to recognize meaningful objects and events
bottom-up processing
Analysis that begins with the sensory receptors and works up to the brains integration of sensory information
top-down processing
information processing guided by higher level mental processes, as when we construct perceptions drawing on our experiences and expectations
selective attention
The focusing of conscious awareness on a particular stimulus
inattentional blindness
failing to see visible objects when our attention is directed elsewhere
change blindness
failing to notice changes in the environment
transduction
Conversion of one form of energy into another. And sensation the transforming of stimulus energies, such as sights, sounds, and smells, into neural impulses our brain can interpret
psychophysics
The study of relationships between the physical characteristics of stimuli, such as their intensity, and our psychological experience of them
absolute threshold
The minimum stimulation needed to detect a particular stimulus 50% of the time
signal detection theory
A theory predicting how and when we detect the presence of a faint stimulus (signal) amid background stimulation (noise)
subliminal
below one's absolute threshold for conscious awareness
priming
The activation, often unconsciously, of certain associations, predisposing one's perception, memory, or response
difference threshold
The minimum difference between two stimuli required for detection 50% of the time
Weber's Law
The principle that, to be perceived as different, two stimuli must differ by constant minimum percentage
sensory adaptation
diminished sensitivity as a consequence of constant stimulation