AP PSYCHOLOGY JOURNAL

3rd Six WeeksSensation and Perception

Learning

AP Psychology11/12/2014

• Journal entry: prosopagnosia.• Turn In: Readings: One quiz grade

– Weightlessness and Perception– Perfect Pitch

• Notes re Sensation– Bottom-up v top-down processing– Psychophysics– Signal detection– Thresholds – Subliminal processing

• EXAM DAY 12/3

Journal Entry 11/12

• prosopagnosiap. 229 Watch the short clip.

What is prosopagnosia? Write a paragraph about your reaction to learning about the condition this woman has.

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prosopagnosia

Introduction to Sensation and Perception

I. Sensation is the process by which we receive information from the environment.

II. Perception is the process of selecting and identifying information from the environment.

III. Psychophysics is the study of the mathematical or functional relationship between physical energy and the psychological experience.

Introduction to Sensation and Perception

A. Stimulus: a detectable input from the environment

1. Light- vision2. Sound- hearing3. Chemicals- taste and smell 4. Pressure, temperature, pain –sense of touch5. Orientation, balance- kinesthetic senses.

Introduction to Sensation and Perception

B. Environmental information (stimuli)1. A physical stimulus must first be introduced.

For example: air vibrations, gases, chemicals, tactile pressures.

2. Our senses respond to a limited range of environmental stimuli. For example, we cannot hear sound of frequencies above 20,000 Hz, even though dogs can hear them.

Can you hear this?

Introduction to Sensation and Perception

C. Physical stimuli1. Light as experienced

through visiona. Visible light is part of

the electromagnetic spectrum.

b. Properties of lighta. Intensity (brightness)b. Wavelength (hue)c. Complexity or purity

(saturation)

Introduction to Sensation and Perception

2. Sound as experienced through audition. Properties of sound

i. Intensity (mainly loudness) ii. Frequency (mainly pitch) iii. Wave form (mainly timbre) iv. There is not a one-to-one relationship between

physical properties and perceptual experience. For example, intensity can also influence perception of pitch.

Perceptual audio demonstrations

Introduction to Sensation and Perception

D. Sensory processes are the initial steps to perception. 1. Transduction is the process of converting energy of a

stimulus into neural activity. The stimulus is recoded as a neural pattern.

2. Transduction can be affected by our experiences, such as through adaptation.

i. A constant level of stimulus results in a decreased response over time.

ii. With continued exposure the neural response may change.

iii. Adaptation is also, perceptual, not just sensory.

Introduction to Sensation and Perception

II. Perception is the process of selecting and identifying information from the environment. A. The interpretation of information from the

environment so that we can identify its meaning. B. Perception involves determination of what a stimulus

is. C. Expectations and perception: We make predictions

from our knowledge of the world. A. Bottom-up processes begin at the receptor level. B. Top-down processes use knowledge we already possess and

allows us to form expectations.

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Bottom-up Processing

Analysis of the stimulus begins with the sense receptors and works up to the level of

the brain and mind.

Letter “A” is really a black blotch broken down into features by the brain that we perceive as an

“A.”

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Top-Down Processing

Information processing guided by higher-level mental processes as we construct perceptions, drawing on our experience

and expectations.

THE CHT

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Our sensory and perceptual processes work together to help us sort out complex

images.

Making Sense of Complexity

“The Forest Has Eyes,” Bev Doolittle

Introduction to Sensation and Perception

III. Psychophysics1. Absolute thresholdThe point at which a stimulus can be detected 50% of the time. 2. Difference threshold. Also called JND (Just noticeable difference)The minimal change in stimulation that can be reliably predicted 50% of the time. 3. Weber’s Law: it is harder to detect a change in a really strong stimulus.

Absolute threshold

Introduction to Sensation and Perception

PsychophysicsB. Signal detection theory How individuals are able to detect a minimum stimulus (signal) among other background stimuli. May affect how individuals make decisions. • Examples:

Parents of newborn• Patrolling in Iraq• Monitoring patients in ICU• Airport scanner

Introduction to Sensation and Perception

PsychophysicsC. Subliminal stimulation claims make two assumptions1. We can unconsciously sense stimuli below the threshold2. These stimuli have suggestive powers. 3. Do they work? Under certain conditions, yes. a. An invisible image may prime your response to a

later question. Example: kittensb. Researchers say priming is a subtle, fleeting effect.

Double-blind procedures show subliminal self-help tapes show no therapeutic effect.

Introduction to Sensation and Perception

PsychophysicsD. Receptor sensitivity is subject to change. 1. Sensory Adaptation: a decline in receptor

activity when stimuli are unchanging. a. Helps us focus on informative changes.b. Alert to novelty

2. Habituation or adaptation: a decline in response due to the repeated presentation of the stimulus; this happens at the neural level.

We perceive the world not exactly as it is, but as it is useful to us to perceive it.

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Sensory Adaptation

Diminished sensitivity as a consequence of constant stimulation.

Put a band aid on your arm and after awhileyou don’t sense it.

• brad wray• mosquito teen repellerSignal detection theory

AP Psychology Lessons 11/17/2014• Continue Notes: S & P (12 of 61 vocabulary terms) • Journal prompt: Elementary concepts in visionThe Brain• Vision: Diagram Eye and notes• NOTICE: at the beginning of next class! 10 question

quiz on vision (Pages 236-245). Take notes.

Chapter 6 EXAM WILL BE ON WED. 12/3/2014• Vocabulary (from Vision transduction P. 236-

to ESP parapsychology p. 282) is due on 12/3/2014.

• Notes Journal due 12/3/2014

Journal Prompt 11/17

Watch the video “Visual Information Processing: Elementary Concepts”.Prompt: Write in complete sentences. What does Hubel and Wiesel’s experiment with the cat tell us about feature detectors? P. 241.

Learning Goal: Describe the visual sensory system.

AP Psychology Lessons 11/19

• Journal Prompt: Hearing• Vision quiz• Take notes on pain

Journal Prompt 11/19/2014

LO: Describe the auditory sensory system.

p. 247-248 • What is the importance

of the hair cells in the cochlea?

• How can we be kind to our hair cells?

• What signal will we get if the hair cells are unhappy?

Sensation and Perception

Biopsychosocial approach to pain p. 255* Copy the diagram on page 257. How could an understanding of each of these factors help alleviate pain? Create a chart. 1) Gate control theory (Melzack and Wall)2) Endorphins (Cox)3) Memories of pain (Kahneman)4) Cultural expectations (Symbaluk)5) Placebos (Kaptchuk) 6) Virtual reality games (258)

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Gate-Control Theory

Melzack and Wall (1965, 1983) proposed that our spinal cord contains neurological “gates” that either block pain or allow it to

be sensed.

Gary C

omer/ PhototakeU

SA.com

AP Psychology Lesson 11/24

• Journal Prompt: Sense of Smell• Sensation and Perception chart• Next class: In-class Notes Quiz on p. 265-281

Perception READ• Test on all Chapter 6 is Wednesday 12/3• Stroop effect

Journal prompt 11/24p. 260

How does our system for sensing smell differ from our sensory systems for vision, touch and taste?

Students learn: • The capabilities and limitations of the

sensory process. 2.4 Describe other sensory systems, such as olfaction, gustation, and somesthesis (e.g. skin senses, kinesthesis, and vestibular senses).

Taste preferences

Animals tend to be neophobic . With taste preferences, this serves an evolutionary purpose. An animal will typically try only a small bit of a new food to see if it makes them sick.

Today’s Lesson 12/1

• Quiz on Chapter 6 Perception pages 263-279• Journal Prompt Human Factors• EXAM next class 50 multiple choice questions• Alternative assignments: next class

Journal Prompt 12/1/2014

• P. 281-282• What is the most

powerful tool in studying human factors issues?

• List five ways in which human factors psychologists work at designing safe and efficient environments.

Synesthesia and “Seeing Life in Colors” synesthesia

• Perceptual sets of “looters” or those looking for “supplies” http://www.snopes.com/photos/katrina/looters.asp

Ames Room (from Zimbardo) Ames room• Optical Illusion Collection http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtsfidRq2tw&feature=related• Visual Cliff (Gibson and Walk) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VPaBcT1KdY• 60-odd optical illusions, bad music, though http://youtu.be/2HKIplgzi54• Spinning Dancer, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Spinning_Dancer

Today’s Lesson 12/3

• Review• Exam• Chapter 7 Packet due Monday 12/8

Today’s Lesson 12/5/2014

• No Journal prompt• Work on Chapter 7 Packet• Go to library to do Psych Sim activities

Lesson December 8, 2014

• Journal prompt: Biological predispositions and classical conditioning. – Practice in classical conditioning– Taste aversion

• Turn in Chapter 7 packet. • Discovering psychology video• Homework PSYCH SIM for journal. Journal is due at the

final. – Classical Conditioning– Operant Conditioning– Maze Learning

Journal prompt December 8, 2014

• Content Standard 1: Classical conditioning

• 1.1 Describe the principles of classical conditioning

• 1.2 Describe clinical and experimental examples of classical conditioning

• 1.3 Apply classical conditioning to everyday life.

p. 299-301 Biological predispositionsPrompt: Why do behavior learning theorists consider classically conditioned behaviors to be biologically adaptive? Give an example of research from the text.

AP Psychology Lessons 12/10

• Two Journal Prompts: – Operant Conditioning– Observational Learning

• Consequence Matrix• Punishment

Consequence Matrix

Journal Prompt 12/10Operant conditioning• 2.1 Describe

the Law of Effect

• 2.2 Describe the principles of operant conditioning

• 2.3 Describe clinical and experimental examples of operant conditioning

• 2.4 Apply operant conditioning to everyday life

P. 310Unlike a reinforcer, a punisher decreases the frequency of a preceding behavior. According to Darley and Ater, punishment must be both swift and sure. a. Why are harsh punishments

not effective in reducing the drunk driving rate?

b. What can parents of delinquent youths due to achieve desirable behaviors in their children?

2012 Drunk Driving Statistics: TexasSource: MADD

• Drunk driving fatalities (.08 BAC or higher): 1,296 representing 38% of all total traffic deaths, a 7% increase from last year.

• Alcohol related crash injuries (.01 BAC or higher): 16882

• Alcohol related crashes (.01 BAC or higher): 25671• DUI arrests: 89,256• DUI convictions: Not Available• DUI refusals: Not Available• Taxpayer subsidy of drunk driving fatalities: $6 billion

Negative reinforcement: A. Identify the aversive stimulus.B. What behavior is strengthened by its removal?1. Taking aspirin to relieve a headache.2. Hurrying home in the winter to get out of the cold.3. Giving in to an argument or to a dog’s begging.4. Fanning oneself to escape the heat.5. Leaving a movie theater if the movie is bad.6. Smoking in order to relieve anxiety.7. Following prison rules in order to be released fromconfinement.8. Feigning a stomachache in order to avoid school.9. Putting on a car safety belt to stop an irritating buzz.10. Turning down the volume of a very loud radio.11. Putting up an umbrella to escape the rain.12. Saying “uncle” to stop being beaten.

Journal Prompt #2 : 12/10• 3.1 Describe the

principles of observational and cognitive learning

• 3.2 Apply observational and cognitive learning to everyday life

• Prompt: Who has been a significant role model for you? For whom are you a model?