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Read this: During my 40 trials the change in stimuli of the…
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During my 40 trials the change in stimuli of the line in the middle being 3 degrees was easier to discriminate compared to the others. When the middle angle was at a change of 3 degrees, I noticed the change 100% of the time. In comparison, for the 1-degree change hit rate I only noticed the change 55% of the time, and only 45% of the time for the 0-degree change. Overall, I believe that some changes in stimuli are easier to discriminate than others based on the change of degree. When I was doing the experiment the angle with the change of 1 degree looked almost identical and it was hard to detect compared to the change of 3 degrees.
Mather (2014) states that “At low intensities the stimulus is hardly ever detected, while at high intensities it is nearly always detected” (p.2). It was harder to notice a change in the smaller degree of 0 and 1 compared to the degree change of 3 during the experiment. I believe that it is possible to train yourself to discriminate a more subtle change because over time I got adjusted to processing the information repeatedly. An example of where this type of training is used in the real word would be in the field of audiology. Audiologist test hearing at different degrees from a quieter sound to a louder sound in order to measure hearing.
2. Psychophysics is important because it studies our sensitivity to what we are experiencing through our senses. Mather (2014) defines psychophysics as “The scientific study of the relation between physical stimulation and perceptual experience” (p.2). Overall, psychophysics helps us understand how we perceive, analyze, and differentiate information based on our sensitivity organs. One modern example of psychophysics is how we can differentiate foods such as sweet or savory based on our sensitivity organs.
Reference:
George Mather. (2014). Essentials of Sensation and Perception. Routledge.
Answer the question:
1. In four or more sentences, provide constructive feedback, ask a question, or share a resource you discovered related to the week’s lessons. Explore additional thoughts on the topic. What did you discover when reading your classmate’s post? This is our space to share experiences with the activity and the week’s content.
Read this:
Relative Misalignment
0°
1°
3°
9/15
9/16
9/9
Correct rejection rate:60%
Hit rate for 1°: 56%
Hit rate for 3°: 100%
Certain changes in stimuli are easier to discriminate than others because some are easier to see and more noticeable than others. Based on the data from each of the 40 trials, it was much easier to notice the difference for the 3°. My hit rate for 3° was 100% whereas my correction rate was 60% and my hit rate for 1° was 56%. It is easier to notice the changes in the larger stimuli than in the smaller changes. This is because of the various factors of each of the stimuli. I noticed that when I did each of the trials some of the trials were more difficult to tell which was different and which were the same. After the first few trials, I was pretty confident and was able to determine which lines were different or the same. It was also a little more tricky in the middle and I had a harder time distinguishing the lines. An example of this type of training used in the real world is a hearing test. When I visit my ENT doctor I sometimes am asked to take a hearing test. This type of training is related to a hearing test because when you are getting tested you put on headphones and will hear a variety of different sounds and beeps at different frequencies and volumes. It can be easy at the beginning but as the test goes on the sounds become very soft and low which can make it harder to hear and distinguish. Psychophysics is the “study of the relation between physical stimulation and perceptual experience” (Mather, 2014). Psychophysics is important to the development of psychology as a science because allows us to have an idea of perception and helps us sense the things around us. A modern example of psychophysics would be a scientific researcher. Researchers have to be able to know psychophysics so they can use this as an approach to their methods and evaluations.
Reference
George Mather. (2014). Essentials of Sensation and Perception. Routledge – Chapter 3: The Senses and The Brain
Answer the question:
1. In four or more sentences, provide constructive feedback, ask a question, or share a resource you discovered related to the week’s lessons. Explore additional thoughts on the topic. What did you discover when reading your classmate’s post? This is our space to share experiences with the activity and the week’s content.
