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World of Psychology ch. 3-4
terms and definitions
44
Psychology
Undergraduate 1
02/13/2011

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Term
1. Sensation-
Definition
process through which senses pickup visual, auditory, and other sensory stimuli and transmit them to the brain.
Term
2. Perception
Definition
process through which sensory information is organized and interpreted by the brain.
Term
3. Absolute Threshold
Definition
the minimum amount of sensory stimulation that can be detected 50% of the time.
Term
4. JND (just noticeable difference)
Definition
the smallest change in sensation that a person is able to detect 50% of the time.
Term
5. Sensory Receptors
Definition
highly specialized cells in the sense organs that detect and respond to one type of sensory stimuli-light, sound, or odor, for example-and transducer (convert) the stimuli into neural impulses.
Term
6. Transduction
Definition
process through which sensory receptors convert the sensory stimulation into neural impulses.
Term
7. Visible Spectrum
Definition
the narrow band of electromagnetic waves visible to the human eye.
Term
9. Pupil (eyes)
Definition
small opening in the center of the colored part of the eye.
Term
10. Iris
Definition
colored part of the eye that dilates and contracts the pupil to regulate the amount of light that enters the eye.
Term
11. Lens
Definition
the transparent disc-shaped structure behind the iris and the pupil that changes shape as it focuses on objects at varying distances.
Term
12. Retina
Definition
layer of tissue that is located on the inner surface of the eyeball and contains the sensory receptors for vision.
Term
13. Rods
Definition
120 million in the eye, light sensitive receptor cells.
Term
Cones
Definition
6 million in the eye, color sensitive cells.
Term
8. Cornea
Definition
the tough, transparent, protective layer that covers the front of the eye and bends light rays inward through the pupil.
Term
14. Fovea
Definition
small area at the center of the retina where vision is the clearest.
Term
15. Blind Spot
Definition
area in retina where the optic nerve is attached.
Term
16. Optic Nerve
Definition
the nerve that carries visual information from each retina to both sides of the brain.
Term
17. Trichromatic Theory
Definition
the theory of color vision suggesting that there are three types of cones in the retina that make a maximal chemical response to one of three colors-red, green, or blue.
Term
18. Opponent-Process Theory
Definition
theory of color vision suggesting that three kinds of cells respond by increasing or decreasing their rate of firing when different colors are present.
Term
20. Decibel (dB)
Definition
units of measurement for the loudness of sounds.
Term
21. Timbre
Definition
the distinctive quality of a sound that distinguishes it from other sounds of the pitch and loudness.
Term
22. Audition
Definition
the sensation and process of hearing
Term
23. Cochlea
Definition
the fluid filled, snail-shaped, bony chamber in the inner ear that contains the basilar membrane and its hair cells (the sound receptors).
Term
24. Olfaction
Definition
the sense of smell.
Term
25. Pheromones
Definition
chemicals excreted by humans and other animals that can have a powerful effect on the behavior of other members of the same species.
Term
26. Gustation
Definition
the sense of taste.
Term
27. Tactile
Definition
pertaining to the sense of touch.
Term
28. Kinesthetic Sense
Definition
sense providing information about the position of body parts in relation to each other and the movement of the entire body or its parts.
Term
29. Vestibular Sense
Definition
sense that detects movement and provides information about the body’s orientation in space.
Term
1. Consciousness
Definition
everything we are aware of.
Term
2. Circadian Rhythms
Definition
within each 24hour period, the regular fluctuation from high to low points of certain bodily functions and behaviors.
Term
3. NREM (Sleep)
Definition
non-rapid eye movement sleep, which consists of four sleep stages.
Term
4. REM (Sleep)
Definition
type of sleep characterized by rapid eye movements, paralysis of large muscles, increased brain-wave activity, and vivid dreams.
Term
5. Parasomnias
Definition
sleep disturbances in which behaviors and physiological states that normally take place only in the waking state occur while a person is sleeping.
Term
6. Dyssomnias
Definition
category of sleep disorders in which the timing, quantity, or quality of sleep is impaired.
Term
7. Hypnosis
Definition
process through which one person uses the power of suggestion to induce changes in thoughts, feelings, sensations, perceptions, or behavior in another person.
Term
8. Psychoactive Drug
Definition
any substance that alters mood, perception, or thought; called a controlled substance if approved for medical use.
Term
9. Stimulants
Definition
drugs that speed up activity in the central nervous system, suppresses appetite, and can cause a person to feel more awake.
Term
10. Depressants
Definition
drugs that decrease activity in the central nervous system, slow down bodily functions, and reduces sensitivity to outside stimulation; also called “downers.”
Term
11. Narcotics
Definition
class of depressant drugs derived from the opium poppy that produces pain relieving and calming effects.
Term
12. Hallucinogens
Definition
drugs that can alter and distort perceptions of time and space.
Term
13. Physical Drug Dependence
Definition
compulsive pattern of drug use in which the user develops a drug tolerance coupled with unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when the drug use is discontinued.
Term
14. Drug Tolerance
Definition
the user becomes progressively less affected by the drug and must take larger doses.
Term
15. Psychological Drug Tolerance
Definition
craving or irresistible urge for a drug’s pleasurable effects.
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