Question

Decreased sensitivity to an unchanging stimulus is known as ________. a. transduction b. difference threshold c. sensory adaptation d. inattentional blindness

Short answer

c. sensory adaptation

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the options

Transduction is a process by which sensory receptors convert stimuli into neural signals. The difference threshold, also known as just noticeable difference (JND), is the smallest noticeable difference in intensity or quantity. Inattentional blindness is a psychological lack of attention that is not associated with vision defects or deficits, where an individual fails to perceive an unexpected stimulus in plain sight. Sensory adaptation is a change in the responsiveness of the sensory system based on the average level of surrounding stimulation.

Matching Definition with the Right Term

Sensory adaptation refers to decreased sensitivity to unchanging stimulus. This happens when sensory neurons detect an unchanging stimulus. Over time, they gradually decrease their response because the information is no longer new and thus less important to pay conscious attention to. In this context, the right answer is sensory adaptation.

Key concepts

Perception

Perception is the process through which we interpret and organize sensory information, giving it meaning. It is heavily influenced by our past experiences, expectations, and the context of the information presented. Our perceptions allow us to understand and navigate the world around us.

• Perception involves identifying and interpreting sensory input.
• It combines multiple sensory signals to create a comprehensive view of the world.
• Perceptions can vary between individuals because of differing experiences and interpretations.

Understanding perception is crucial, as it affects how we interpret our surroundings and plays a role in our daily decision-making.

Sensory Receptors

Sensory receptors are specialized cells responsible for converting external stimuli into neural signals which can be processed by the nervous system. They play a fundamental role in our ability to sense and perceive the world around us. Each type of receptor is tuned to a specific type of stimulus, such as light, sound, or pressure.

• Photoreceptors in the eyes detect light and enable vision.
• Mechanoreceptors respond to mechanical forces like touch and pressure.
• Chemoreceptors handle chemical stimuli, enabling taste and smell.

Sensory receptors are the initial stage in the sensory processing pathway. They are crucial for sensory perception as they provide the raw data necessary for our brains to create a coherent perceptual experience.

Difference Threshold

The difference threshold, often referred to as the just noticeable difference (JND), is the smallest change in a stimulus that can be detected by the sensory system. It is a key concept in understanding sensory sensitivity and how we perceive changes in our environment.

• The difference threshold varies depending on the intensity of the initial stimulus—larger stimuli require bigger changes to be noticed.
• This concept is critical in areas such as product testing, where small differences in taste, sound, or appearance must be measurable.
• Psychologist Ernst Weber developed "Weber's Law," which quantifies the perception of change by showing the relationship between stimulus magnitude and perception.

By understanding the difference threshold, we gain insight into the limits of human perception and the minimum differences required to elicit awareness of changes in our environment.

Inattentional Blindness

Inattentional blindness is a psychological phenomenon where an individual fails to notice an unexpected stimulus in plain sight due to a lack of attention, rather than vision defects. It highlights how selective attention filters the information we process consciously.

• This occurrence is often studied using experiments where participants focus on one task and fail to notice other stimuli.
• It demonstrates the limitations of attention, as only a small fraction of sensory information reaches conscious awareness.
• Everyday examples include missing a turn while driving because you are focused on a conversation in the car.

Inattentional blindness illustrates how cognition steers perception, underlining the critical role that attention plays in sensory processing and awareness.