Perception Lab WorksheetReality Check Sensation & Perception Lab Report Name: Date: Part 1: The Basics 1. Absolute Threshold 2. Sensory Adaptation 3. Selective Attention 4. Difference Threshold 5. Signal Detection Theory A. Diminishing sensitivity to an unchanging stimulus. B. The minimum stimulation needed for detection 50% of the time. C. Focusing conscious awareness on a particular stimulus. D. Predicting how/when we detect faint signals amid noise. E. The minimum difference detected between two stimuli 50% of the time. Part 2: Scenario Application "After wearing a watch for five minutes, you completely forget it's on your wrist." Concept: "A technician detects a 1% change in frequency between two similar radio signals." Concept: "In a loud cafeteria, you only hear your friend's voice and block out all other noise." Concept: "You look at blurry blobs on a screen and see a face because you expect to see one." Concept: Part 3: Process Flow Physical energy is turned into neural signals through . When we process data starting at receptors, it is processing. Our set acts as a mental filter, influenced by our expectations. constancy allows us to see a door as a rectangle even as its retinal shape changes as it opens. Part 4: Logo Detective (Gestalt Principles) Case A: The FedEx Arrow Figure-Ground Analyze how the white space between the 'E' and the 'x' creates a hidden arrow. Explain why this is an example of Figure-Ground organization: Case B: The IBM Stripes Proximity The IBM logo is made of 8 horizontal lines. Explain why we see the letters 'IBM' instead of 24 separate blue rectangles using the principle of Proximity:
Reality Check SlidesPsychology Review Reality Check Modules 8-9: Sensation & Perception Scenario Check #1 "You are trying to find a specific friend in a crowded stadium. You look for their bright orange hat." A Bottom-Up B Top-Down Answer Reveal Top-Down Option B Your brain uses memory and goals to guide your eyes to find the orange hat. The Gestalt Principles Figure-Ground Similarity Proximity Continuity Closure Common Fate Design Detective Analyze the FedEx logo structure. FedEx Look here Which Gestalt Principle? Figure-Ground Graphic designers use the Negative Space to create a hidden arrow between the E and the x. JND The "Difference" "You only notice a whisper when it gets slightly louder than the movie's soundtrack." A Absolute Threshold B Difference Threshold Difference Threshold WEBER'S LAW "Perception of difference depends on a constant ratio, not a fixed amount." Mission Complete Reality decoded. Lab report due next session. Lab Report Logo Case Studies
Reality Check Answer KeyMaster Answer Key Reality Check: Sensation & Perception Review Part 1: Definition Matching 1. Absolute Threshold: B 2. Sensory Adaptation: A 3. Selective Attention: C 4. Difference Threshold: E 5. Signal Detection Theory: D Part 2: The Scenario Lab Scenario A (Candy) Sensory Adaptation Scenario B (LEGOs) Top-Down Processing Scenario C (Parent) Signal Detection Theory Scenario D (Weights) Difference Threshold (Weber's Law) Scenario E (Monster) Perceptual Set Scenario F (Reading) Bottom-Up Processing Part 3: Deep Dives (MCQ) Q7 (Dots) C Proximity Q8 (Car) A Size Constancy Q9 (Cliff) B Depth Perception Part 4: Process Flow The process by which our sensory receptors receive stimulus energies from our environment is called sensation. Once these signals are organized and interpreted, we call it perception. When we process information starting with the sensory receptors and working up to the brain's integration, we use bottom-up processing. In contrast, when we use our expectations and experiences to interpret sensory input, we use top-down processing. A(n) perceptual set is a mental predisposition to perceive one thing and not another, often influenced by the context of the situation. Extension: Gestalt Logos Key FedEx Figure-Ground The white arrow is the hidden figure; the colored letters are the ground. IBM Proximity The 8 blue lines are close together, causing us to group them into letters. WWF Panda Closure The brain fills in the gaps between black patches to perceive the panda head. Amazon Continuity Eyes follow the smooth, unbroken curved path of the arrow from a to z. Teaching Insights: Cognitive Bias: Use Scenario E (Lake Monster) to discuss how "expectations" lead to errors. If students were told a "log" was floating, would they see a monster? This is a great transition to discussing memory reliability. Weber's Math: In Scenario D, highlight that a 1lb change is 20% of 5lbs (well above threshold) but only 1% of 100lbs (below the roughly 2% threshold for weight). Gestalt Demonstration: Before collecting worksheets, show the "Rubin Vase" on your projector to challenge their Figure-Ground perception one last time.
