Introduction to Psychophysics Flashcards

Terms from 2nd ed. jeffery s. nevid Psychology; Concepts and Applications.

8 cards   |   Total Attempts: 188
  

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Psychophysics
Tthe study of physical sources of stimulation-light,sound, odors, and so on-relate to our exp. of these stimuli in form of sensatios
Gustave theeodor fechner
Began study of psyhcophysic
Absolute threshold
Is the smallest amount of a stimulus that a person can reliably detect
Difference threshold
The minimal difference people can detect between 2 stimuli
Weber's law
The amount you must change a stimulus to detect a difference is given by a constant fraction or proportion of the original stimulus.
Signal detection theory
The belief that the ability to detect a signal varies with the characteristics of the perciever, backgrnd and the stimulus itself
Sensory adaptation
Process by which sensory systems become less sensitive to unchanging stimuil. habituation
Sensation
The process of taking info from the world, transforming in into nerual impulses, and transmitting these signals to the brain.