the stimulation of sensory receptors and the transmission of sensory information to the brain
sensation
the process of organizing and interpreting sensory information
perception
the smallest amount of a particle stimulus that can be detected
absolute threshold
the minimum difference that an individual can detect between two stimuli
difference threshold
the idea that distinguishing sensory stimuli takes into account not only the strength of the stimuli but also such elements as setting and one's physical state, mood, and attitudes
signal-detection theory
the process by which an organism becomes more sensitive to stimuli that are low in magnitude and less sensitive to stimuli that are constant
sensory adaption
the opening in the center of the eye that adjusts to allow light to enter
pupil
the transparent structure of the eye that focuses light on the retina
lens
the light-sensitive inner surface of the eye that contains the rods, cones, and neurons that process visual stimuli
retina
neurons that respond to light
photoreceptors
the part of the retina that contains no photoreceptors
blind spot
keenness or sharpness of vision
visual activity
the colors across from each other on the color circle
complimentary
the visual sensation that occurs after the original stimulus has been removed
afterimage
the fluid-filled structure of the inner ear that transmits sound impulses to the auditory nerve
cochlea
the cranial nerve that carries sound from the cochlea of the inner ear to the brain
auditory nerve
the process by which the eye's lens changes shape to focus near a far object's on the retina, adapting our current understandings (schemas)