AP Psychology: Sensation and Perception - Unit 3 Overview

Introduction

• Focus on Unit 3: Sensation and Perception
• Sensation: Raw data from our five senses
  • Sources: Sensory receptors
• Perception: Interpreting sensory information

Gestalt Psychology

• Principles: Perceptual organization
  • Whole is greater than the sum of parts
  • Key principles: Figure and ground, continuation, closure, similarity, proximity, symmetry
• Figure and Ground: Visual objects categorized into figures (focus) and ground (background)
• Continuation: Perception of continuous forms
• Closure: Filling in missing information
• Similarity: Grouping of similar objects
• Proximity: Closeness in positioning
• Symmetry: Symmetrical objects perceived as one

Depth Perception

• Binocular Cues: Use of both eyes for depth
  • Convergence: Eye movement inward for near objects
  • Retinal Disparity: Each eye sees different aspect
• Monocular Cues: One-eye depth cues
  • Relative size, interposition, relative height, shading and contour, texture and gradient, linear perspective, motion parallax

Sensory Processes

• Sensory Transduction: Activation of sensory neurons
• Absolute Threshold: Minimum stimulation to experience a stimulus
• Signal Detection Theory: Perceiving weak signals
• Sensory Adaptation: Reduced sensitivity to unchanging stimulus
• Difference Threshold: Minimum change to detect difference
• Weber-Fechner's Law: Constant percentage difference for detection

Perception Principles

• Perceptual Constancy: Perceiving objects as unchanged despite changes
  • Size, color, shape, lightness constancy
• Perceptual Sets: Expectations affecting perception
• Schemas: Cognitive frameworks influencing perception
  • Examples: Emotional states, cultural influences, optical illusions

Visual System

• Eye Anatomy: Parts and functions
  • Sclera, cornea, aqueous humor, iris, pupil, lens, vitreous humor, retina, choroid, optic nerve
• Rods and Cones: Visual receptors for light and color
• Color Vision Theories
  • Trichromatic Theory: Red, green, blue receptors
  • Opponent Process Theory: Color pairings
• Color Blindness: Types and causes
• Synesthesia: Cross-sensory perception

Auditory System

• Ear Anatomy: Parts and functions
  • Pinna, auditory canal, eardrum, ossicles, oval window, cochlea, organ of Corti, semicircular canals
• Sound Analysis: Frequency (pitch) and amplitude (volume)
• Hearing Theories
  • Place Theory: Different hair cells respond to different frequencies
• Hearing Loss: Sensorineural vs. conductive
• Hearing Devices: Cochlear implants, hearing aids

Chemical Senses

• Olfactory System: Smell
  • Nasal cavity, olfactory epithelium, bulb, nerve
• Gustatory System: Taste
  • Taste buds (papillae), five basic tastes
• Sensory Interaction: Combination of senses for full experience

Somatosensory System

• Skin Anatomy: Layers and functions
  • Epidermis, dermis, hypodermis
• Pain and Touch: Receptors and signals
• Phantom Limb Sensations: Pain in lost limbs
• Kinesthesis: Awareness of body part position and movement
• Vestibular Sense: Balance and spatial orientation

Conclusion

• Emphasize the interrelation of sensory systems
• Encourage practice through quizzes and study guides

Note: Use additional resources and videos for detailed explanations of topics.