Sensory Systems & Perception: How We Experience the World
Understanding Sensory Processes and Perception
Key Sensory Processes
Sensation: The process by which sensory receptors capture, transduce, and transmit information to the brain.
Attention: The process by which an individual selects certain stimuli from their environment.
Perception: The cognitive process by which an individual organizes sensory information into meaningful objects or experiences.
Basic Sensory Mechanisms
Receptor Cells: Specialized cells that respond to a particular type of energy (e.g.
Read MoreUnderstanding Attention and Perception
What is Attention?
Attention is a conscious activity that can interfere with, inhibit, or direct the senses, response systems, and knowledge schemes residing in memory.
Stages of Perception
Detection
Each sense has a receiver, a group of cells sensitive to one type of stimulus.
Transduction
Part of our natural ability depends on the body’s ability to convert one type of energy into another. The receivers convert energy from the stimulus into nerve messages.
Transmission
When this energy is of sufficient
Understanding Perception and Hallucinations
Perception
Perception is a constructive process by which we grasp feelings and organize information into meaningful forms.
Key Features of Perception
- It is a constructive process depending on stimulus characteristics, personal experience, culture, and emotional state. Perception is conditioned by training, experience, personality, and culture.
- It is a process of information-adaptation to the environment. The goal is to make sense of reality, understand the world, and enable adaptation.
- It is a process
Psychology Defined: History and Theories
What is Psychology?
Psychology is the science that studies the behavior of individuals and their mental processes. This includes internal processes of individuals and the influences that occur in their physical and social environment. The reasons for studying human actions include understanding the reasoning of the mind, mental disorders, and behavior.
Aristotle and the Psyche
Aristotle proposed a unity between body and soul (psyche), distinguishing two parts:
- The higher part, called Nous (reasoning
Polynomial Factoring Methods Explained
Case I: Common Factor Factoring
Removing the common factor involves identifying the greatest common factor (GCF) shared by all terms in a polynomial (binomial, trinomial, etc.). The GCF consists of the greatest common divisor of the numerical coefficients and the common variables raised to their smallest exponents. Factoring out the GCF simplifies the polynomial.
Common Monomial Factor
This involves finding a single term (monomial) that is a factor of every term in the polynomial.
Common Factor by Grouping
Read MoreUnderstanding Stress, Trauma, and Mental Health
Stress Responses
The stress response begins when an individual perceives a stressor or threat.
What Happens in the Body
The hypothalamus activates, and the sympathetic nervous system triggers the release of stress hormones.
Basis of Stress Response
- Mobilization of energy
- Inhibition of non-essential functions
- Cortisol release
- Return to homeostasis
- Recovery and adaptation
General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
- Alarm stage: The initial reaction to a stressor. The body’s “fight, flight, or freeze” response is activated.