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MEASURING OUR SENSES

MEASURING OUR SENSES. MEASURING OUR SENSES. Psychophysics. ___________________: A field of study that draws upon physics and psychology to study the sensitivity of our senses. PHYSICS +. PSYCHOLOGY =. AWESOME!!!. THRESHOLDS. Absolute Threshold. ________________________:

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MEASURING OUR SENSES

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  1. MEASURING OUR SENSES

  2. MEASURING OUR SENSES Psychophysics ___________________: A field of study that draws upon physics and psychology to study the sensitivity of our senses PHYSICS + PSYCHOLOGY = AWESOME!!!

  3. THRESHOLDS Absolute Threshold • ________________________: The smallest quantity of physical energy that can be reliably detected by an observer RELIABLE =Detection _____ of the time EXAMPLE: What’s the smallest line you will read correctly 50% of the time? Threshold 50%

  4. NORMAL SENSORY ABILITIES VISION:A candle flame on a clear, dark night from _____ miles away. HEARING:A ticking watch in a perfectly quiet room from _____ feet away TASTE:A teaspoon of sugar diluted in _____ gallons of water SMELL:A drop of perfume diffused through a ____-room apartment TOUCH:Feel the wing of a bee falling on your cheek from a height of ______ 30 20 2 3 1 cm

  5. THRESHOLDS Difference Threshold 2) _________________________: The smallest difference in stimulation that can be reliably detected when comparing two things A.K.A.Just Noticeable Difference

  6. SENSORY RESPONSES Sensory Adaptation ________________________ The reduction or disappearance of sensory responsiveness that occurs when a stimulation is unchanging or repetitious

  7. SENSORY ADAPTATION VERY USEFUL! ►Feeling the watch on your wrist ► Swimming in a cold lake VERY HARMFUL! You might no longer smell a gas leak that you noticed upon first entering the kitchen.

  8. Ted, your house smells like burnt hair!

  9. SENSORY RESPONSES Sensory Deprivation _______________________ The absence of normal levels of sensory stimulation Uhhh, hello? Anyone?

  10. STUDIES IN SENSORY DEPRIVATION MALE VOLUNTEERS Isolated from all patterned sight and sound • Vision was restricted by a translucent visor • Hearing was restricted by a U-shaped pillow and by background noise from an A/C unit or fan • Touch was restricted by cotton gloves and cardboard cuffs Given brief restroom eating breaks BUT… Spent their entire day laying in bed, doing Nothing!

  11. RESULTS Within a few hours, many felt edgy • Some were so disoriented, they quit the first day! • Those who remained became confused, restless, and grouchy • Many reported bizarre visions Example: Squadron of marching squirrels or a procession of marching eyeglasses • Very few men were willing to remain in the study for more than 2 or 3 days

  12. SENSORY RESPONSES Sensory Overload ______________________ Occurs when there is excess stimulation; leads to fatigue and mental exhaustion EXAMPLE Finals Week

  13. SENSORY OVERLOAD WE CAN ONLY FOCUS ON ONE THING AT A TIME!!! _______________________ A.K.A.Cocktail Party Effect Selective Attention

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