Dogs and Cats
Our subjective awareness of ourselves and our environment
Consciousness
The process by which our neural receptors and nervous system receive and represent stimulus energies from our environment
Sensation
The minimum stimulus energy needed to detect a particular stimulus 50 percent of the time
Absolute Threshold
Diminished sensitivity as a consequence of constant stimulation.
Sensory Adaptation
Conversion of one form of energy into another
Transduction
The number of complete wavelengths that pass a point in a given time (for example, per second)
Frequency
The height of a wavelength from peak to trough
Amplitude
A periodic, natural loss of consciousness
Sleep
During a natural loss of consciousness, the stage marked by fast ocular motion, dreaming, and paralysis of motor systems
REM Sleep
The gradual, physical process of converting new long-term recollections for stable, enduring retrieval
Memory Consolidation
Nerve endings that respond to stimuli
Sensory Receptors
The principle that, to be perceived as different, two stimuli must differ by a constant minimum percentage (rather than a constant amount)
Weber's Law
The light-sensitive inner surface of the eye, containing receptors plus layers of neurons that begin the processing of visual information
Retina
Ocular receptors that detect black, white, and gray, and are sensitive to movement; necessary for peripheral and twilight vision
Rods
Ocular receptors that are concentrated near the center of the retina and that function in daylight or in well-lit conditions; detect fine detail and give rise to color sensations
Cones
The distance between successive peaks
Wavelength
A tone's experienced highness or lowness; depends on frequency
Pitch
In hearing, the theory that links the pitch we hear with the location where the cochlea's membrane is stimulated
Place Theory
In hearing, the theory that the rate of nerve impulses traveling up the auditory nerve matches the oscillation of a tone, thus enabling us to sense its pitch
Frequency Theory
Our sense of body movement and position that enables our sense of balance
Vestibular System
All summer Thomas hears the sound of the ice cream truck approaching before his brother Oscar hears it. What vocabulary term would help us measure this phenomenon?
Absolute Threshold
If Mary stops noticing the heavy perfume worn by a nearby student after a few minutes, which psychological process is she experiencing?
Sensory Adaptation
Imagine a person trying to read a colorful book in bright sunlight but they have difficulty seeing colors and small text clearly. Damage to which receptors explains this problem?
Cones
A study shows that after cognitive behavioral therapy, patients experienced a moderate decrease in symptoms characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep. Which disorder is most likely being treated?
Insomnia
A study finds that people notice a volume increase of 2 decibels when music is played at 20 decibels, but need a 4-decibel increase to detect a change when it's played at 40 decibels. Which concept does this support?
Weber's Law