AP Psychology Flashcards: Sensation

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Sensation, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Psychology.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is the function of taste buds?

Answer: Taste buds detect chemicals in food and convey taste information. They are located on the tongue and in the mouth.

Flashcard 2: What is transduction in sensation?

Answer: Transduction is the conversion of stimuli into neural signals. It's the first step in all sensory processing.

Flashcard 3: What is the primary function of the iris?

Answer: The iris controls the size of the pupil and the amount of light entering the eye. It dilates and constricts to regulate light exposure.

Flashcard 4: What is referred pain?

Answer: Referred pain is pain perceived at a location other than the site of the stimulus. This occurs due to shared neural pathways.

Flashcard 5: What is sensory adaptation?

Answer: Sensory adaptation is the decrease in sensitivity to a constant stimulus. It prevents sensory overload from unchanging stimuli.

Flashcard 6: What is the primary function of the skin's mechanoreceptors?

Answer: Mechanoreceptors detect touch, pressure, and vibration. They respond to physical deformation of the skin.

Flashcard 7: Which part of the brain processes visual information?

Answer: The occipital lobe processes visual information. It's located at the back of the brain.

Flashcard 8: What does signal detection theory examine?

Answer: Signal detection theory examines decision-making processes under conditions of uncertainty. It considers both sensory and psychological factors in detection.

Flashcard 9: Identify the sensory modality processed by the somatosensory cortex.

Answer: The somatosensory cortex processes touch and proprioceptive information. It's located in the parietal lobe behind the motor cortex.

Flashcard 10: Which structure in the ear is responsible for balance?

Answer: The vestibular system is responsible for balance. It contains the semicircular canals and otolith organs.

Flashcard 11: What is the function of the cornea in the eye?

Answer: The cornea focuses light onto the retina. It provides most of the eye's refractive power.

Flashcard 12: Which part of the eye adjusts to focus light?

Answer: The lens adjusts to focus light on the retina. It changes shape through accommodation for near and far vision.

Flashcard 13: Identify the primary function of the auditory system.

Answer: The auditory system is responsible for hearing. It detects sound waves and converts them to neural impulses.

Flashcard 14: Identify the main chemical sensed by olfactory receptors.

Answer: Olfactory receptors sense volatile chemicals. These airborne molecules bind to receptors in the nasal cavity.

Flashcard 15: Define proprioception.

Answer: Proprioception is the sense of body position and movement. It helps with coordination and spatial awareness.

Flashcard 16: Which part of the brain processes visual information?

Answer: The occipital lobe processes visual information. It's located at the back of the brain.

Flashcard 17: What is the cochlea's role in hearing?

Answer: The cochlea converts sound waves into neural signals. It's the snail-shaped structure in the inner ear.

Flashcard 18: What is Weber's Law?

Answer: Weber's Law states that the ratio of the increment threshold to the background intensity is constant. It explains why we notice proportional rather than absolute changes.

Flashcard 19: What is the function of the auditory cortex?

Answer: The auditory cortex processes sounds and auditory information. It's located in the temporal lobe of each hemisphere.

Flashcard 20: Which sensory system processes taste?

Answer: The gustatory system processes taste. It detects chemical compounds dissolved in saliva.

Flashcard 21: What is the role of the olfactory system?

Answer: The olfactory system is responsible for the sense of smell. It detects airborne chemical molecules through the nose.

Flashcard 22: What is sensory adaptation?

Answer: Sensory adaptation is the decrease in sensitivity to a constant stimulus. It prevents sensory overload from unchanging stimuli.

Flashcard 23: Identify the primary taste sensations.

Answer: The primary taste sensations are sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. These five tastes cover the basic categories humans detect.

Flashcard 24: Define proprioception.

Answer: Proprioception is the sense of body position and movement. It helps with coordination and spatial awareness.

Flashcard 25: What does signal detection theory examine?

Answer: Signal detection theory examines decision-making processes under conditions of uncertainty. It considers both sensory and psychological factors in detection.

Flashcard 26: Define the role of hair cells in the ear.

Answer: Hair cells in the ear transduce sound vibrations into neural signals. They bend with sound waves and trigger nerve impulses.

Flashcard 27: Identify the sensory modality processed by the somatosensory cortex.

Answer: The somatosensory cortex processes touch and proprioceptive information. It's located in the parietal lobe behind the motor cortex.

Flashcard 28: Define difference threshold.

Answer: The difference threshold is the smallest detectable difference between two stimuli. Also called the just noticeable difference (JND).

Flashcard 29: Identify the main chemical sensed by olfactory receptors.

Answer: Olfactory receptors sense volatile chemicals. These airborne molecules bind to receptors in the nasal cavity.

Flashcard 30: Which sensory receptor is involved in detecting pain?

Answer: Nociceptors are involved in detecting pain. They respond to tissue damage and harmful stimuli.

Flashcard 31: What is the gate control theory of pain?

Answer: The gate control theory posits that spinal 'gates' regulate pain signals to the brain. It explains how pain signals can be blocked or enhanced.

Flashcard 32: Which sensory system processes taste?

Answer: The gustatory system processes taste. It detects chemical compounds dissolved in saliva.

Flashcard 33: What is the function of cones in the retina?

Answer: Cones are responsible for color vision and detail. They function best in bright light conditions.

Flashcard 34: What does the term 'subliminal stimuli' refer to?

Answer: Subliminal stimuli are below the threshold of conscious perception. They may still influence behavior without conscious awareness.

Flashcard 35: Identify the function of sensory receptors.

Answer: Sensory receptors detect environmental stimuli. They are specialized cells that respond to specific energy forms.

Flashcard 36: What is the gate control theory of pain?

Answer: The gate control theory posits that spinal 'gates' regulate pain signals to the brain. It explains how pain signals can be blocked or enhanced.

Flashcard 37: What is the function of rods in the retina?

Answer: Rods are responsible for vision in low light conditions. They are highly sensitive but don't detect color.

Flashcard 38: What is the primary function of the skin's mechanoreceptors?

Answer: Mechanoreceptors detect touch, pressure, and vibration. They respond to physical deformation of the skin.

Flashcard 39: What is the role of the olfactory system?

Answer: The olfactory system is responsible for the sense of smell. It detects airborne chemical molecules through the nose.

Flashcard 40: What is the role of nociceptors?

Answer: Nociceptors detect signals of pain and potential harm. They are specialized pain receptors throughout the body.

Flashcard 41: Which sensory receptor is involved in detecting pain?

Answer: Nociceptors are involved in detecting pain. They respond to tissue damage and harmful stimuli.

Flashcard 42: Which part of the eye is responsible for detecting light?

Answer: The retina is responsible for detecting light. It contains photoreceptors that convert light into neural signals.

Flashcard 43: Identify the role of the optic nerve.

Answer: The optic nerve transmits visual information from the retina to the brain. It's the pathway connecting the eye to the visual cortex.

Flashcard 44: What is Weber's Law?

Answer: Weber's Law states that the ratio of the increment threshold to the background intensity is constant. It explains why we notice proportional rather than absolute changes.

Flashcard 45: Define the role of hair cells in the ear.

Answer: Hair cells in the ear transduce sound vibrations into neural signals. They bend with sound waves and trigger nerve impulses.

Flashcard 46: What is the role of the thalamus in sensation?

Answer: The thalamus relays sensory information to the appropriate brain areas. It acts as a sensory relay station to the cortex.

Flashcard 47: What is the function of taste buds?

Answer: Taste buds detect chemicals in food and convey taste information. They are located on the tongue and in the mouth.

Flashcard 48: Which part of the eye is responsible for detecting light?

Answer: The retina is responsible for detecting light. It contains photoreceptors that convert light into neural signals.

Flashcard 49: What is the cochlea's role in hearing?

Answer: The cochlea converts sound waves into neural signals. It's the snail-shaped structure in the inner ear.

Flashcard 50: What is referred pain?

Answer: Referred pain is pain perceived at a location other than the site of the stimulus. This occurs due to shared neural pathways.

Flashcard 51: What is transduction in sensation?

Answer: Transduction is the conversion of stimuli into neural signals. It's the first step in all sensory processing.

Flashcard 52: Which part of the eye adjusts to focus light?

Answer: The lens adjusts to focus light on the retina. It changes shape through accommodation for near and far vision.

Flashcard 53: Which sensory system is responsible for vision?

Answer: The visual system is responsible for vision. It includes the eyes and visual processing pathways.

Flashcard 54: What is the difference between sensation and perception?

Answer: Sensation is detecting stimuli; perception is interpreting them. Sensation is physical; perception involves mental interpretation.

Flashcard 55: What is the role of nociceptors?

Answer: Nociceptors detect signals of pain and potential harm. They are specialized pain receptors throughout the body.

Flashcard 56: What is the absolute threshold in sensation?

Answer: The absolute threshold is the minimum stimulus intensity detected 50% of the time. It measures the weakest stimulus that can be reliably detected.

Flashcard 57: What is sensation in the context of psychology?

Answer: Sensation is the process of detecting external stimuli and converting them into neural signals. It's the initial step before perception interprets the signals.

Flashcard 58: What is the primary function of thermoreceptors?

Answer: Thermoreceptors detect changes in temperature. They help maintain body temperature and detect environmental heat.

Flashcard 59: What does the term 'subliminal stimuli' refer to?

Answer: Subliminal stimuli are below the threshold of conscious perception. They may still influence behavior without conscious awareness.

Flashcard 60: What is sensation in the context of psychology?

Answer: Sensation is the process of detecting external stimuli and converting them into neural signals. It's the initial step before perception interprets the signals.

Flashcard 61: Define difference threshold.

Answer: The difference threshold is the smallest detectable difference between two stimuli. Also called the just noticeable difference (JND).

Flashcard 62: Which structure in the ear is responsible for balance?

Answer: The vestibular system is responsible for balance. It contains the semicircular canals and otolith organs.

Flashcard 63: What is the difference between sensation and perception?

Answer: Sensation is detecting stimuli; perception is interpreting them. Sensation is physical; perception involves mental interpretation.

Flashcard 64: Identify the primary taste sensations.

Answer: The primary taste sensations are sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. These five tastes cover the basic categories humans detect.

Flashcard 65: What is the function of cones in the retina?

Answer: Cones are responsible for color vision and detail. They function best in bright light conditions.

Flashcard 66: What is the blind spot in the visual field?

Answer: The blind spot is an area with no photoreceptors where the optic nerve exits the eye. We normally don't notice it due to binocular vision.

Flashcard 67: What is the absolute threshold in sensation?

Answer: The absolute threshold is the minimum stimulus intensity detected 50% of the time. It measures the weakest stimulus that can be reliably detected.

Flashcard 68: What is the function of the cornea in the eye?

Answer: The cornea focuses light onto the retina. It provides most of the eye's refractive power.

Flashcard 69: Identify the role of the optic nerve.

Answer: The optic nerve transmits visual information from the retina to the brain. It's the pathway connecting the eye to the visual cortex.

Flashcard 70: What is the function of the auditory cortex?

Answer: The auditory cortex processes sounds and auditory information. It's located in the temporal lobe of each hemisphere.

Flashcard 71: Identify the primary function of the auditory system.

Answer: The auditory system is responsible for hearing. It detects sound waves and converts them to neural impulses.

Flashcard 72: Which sensory system is responsible for vision?

Answer: The visual system is responsible for vision. It includes the eyes and visual processing pathways.

Flashcard 73: What is the blind spot in the visual field?

Answer: The blind spot is an area with no photoreceptors where the optic nerve exits the eye. We normally don't notice it due to binocular vision.

Flashcard 74: What is the primary function of the iris?

Answer: The iris controls the size of the pupil and the amount of light entering the eye. It dilates and constricts to regulate light exposure.

Flashcard 75: Identify the function of sensory receptors.

Answer: Sensory receptors detect environmental stimuli. They are specialized cells that respond to specific energy forms.

Flashcard 76: What is the role of the thalamus in sensation?

Answer: The thalamus relays sensory information to the appropriate brain areas. It acts as a sensory relay station to the cortex.

Flashcard 77: What is the function of rods in the retina?

Answer: Rods are responsible for vision in low light conditions. They are highly sensitive but don't detect color.

Flashcard 78: What is the primary function of thermoreceptors?

Answer: Thermoreceptors detect changes in temperature. They help maintain body temperature and detect environmental heat.