Psychology 366 Study Guide

Exam #1 - Fall 2010

If you understand and can thoroughly explain the following, you should be ready for all that the first exam will
present to you. Remember to include evidence and examples to support your answers.

1. Understand the concept of ‘thresholds’ (especially absolute and difference thresholds) and what they mean for
studying and understanding basic perceptual processes and our perceptual experiences. Also, understand what Signal
Detection theory adds to the study and understanding of perceptual processes over what the classic psychophysical
methods provide.

2. Understand the basic aspects of neural communication within the human nervous system. Also be able to identify
the major brain areas thought to play a role in the perceptual process.

3. Understand and be able to explain the mechanisms involved in tactile acuity. Be able to explain how and what
small and large receptive fields contribute to our sense of touch.

4. Explain the mechanisms involved in our ability to perceive objects. In other words, what is haptic perception and
how does it work?

5. Explain the basic anatomy and experience of pain. That is, explain why, when, where, and under what
circumstances ‘pain’ does and does not hurt. Why is feeling or not feeling pain adaptive? (Provide evidence and
examples for your argument).

6. How are taste and smell related to each other? How do they differ from other senses?

7. Understand the physical (bottom-up) and experiential (top-down) aspects of flavor perception. Also, explain why
vision and touch are so closely linked to the chemical senses. What adaptive functions might this link serve?

8. How and why might memory come into play in our sense of taste and smell?

Examples of possible essay and short essay questions; remember examples and evidence make for good answers.

Compare and contrast sensation and perception; describe how they are interrelated.

Explain signal detection theory; be sure to discuss the role of the absolute threshold, the just noticeable difference
(JND) threshold and errors of detection.

Explain how capsaicin can be used as an analgesic (pain reliever) and how substance P plays into the process.

Why can’t we tickle ourselves and why does it matter?

Explain and describe why some parts of the Homunculus Man's body are so out of proportion to the other parts of
‘his’ body.

From a psychological perspective, explain objective as well as subjective experiences of pain. Be sure to discuss the
variety of ways pain affects everyday life.

Eating is behavior important only for survival, true or false? Please explain your answer.

Which two outside readings did you find most enlightening? Please explain why; in other words, enlighten me!