Chris Arellano 's Blog

study outline - Ch. 4/6

2008-03-10T22:16:00.001-06:00

Chapter 4 - Sensation and Perception

difference between sensation and perception
Sensation is automatic. Perception is the interpretation of the sensations.
parts of the eye and their function
Retina contains rods and cones and is on the back of the eye. Rods gather grey information and work in dark. Cones gather color and work best in bright light.
Cornea is protective tissue, iris is muscle directly behind the cornea and provides color to the eye.
Pupil is the opening behind the iris. The lens is an additional focusing mechanism complimentary to the cornea.
difference between the cones and rods
Rods are grey. Cones see color in bright light
parts of the ear and their function
Pinnna is the external ear that we see. Next is the auditory canal which is where qtips clean. Next is the eardrum aka Tympanic Membrane. The vibrating eardrum causes the three tiniest bones in the human body to vibrate. They are the hammer, anvil and stirrup. The three bones together are known as the ossicles. The stirrup bone presses on a membrane called the oval window which also vibrates. This causes waves in the fluid that fills the cochlea. The cochlea is a snail shaped structure that contains the basilar membrane with receptors for hearing. The receptors are known as hair cells. The mechanical motion of the hair cells is transduced into electrochemical impulses that are carried by the auditory nerve to the brain.
amplitude and frequency
Amplitude = height of sound waves and controls loudness. Frequency is how close the waves of sound are together and determines the pitch of the sound.
parts of the nose and its function
Smell is a chemical sense which is sensitive to certain chemical molecules.The receptors are locagted in the olfactory epithelium which are covered in mucus. When chemicals contact them they send a neural impulse that travels to the olfactory bulb which is located in the brain.
tactile perception
Includes the skin senses, vestibular sense and kinesthesia. Skin senses register touch, temperature and pain. Vestibular sense is body orientation with respect to gravity and 3d space. This sense is located in the inner ear. Kinesthesia is the sense from muscles, joints and tendons.
taste and taste receptors
Food runs over the papillae (bumps) and into the pores to the taste buds which contain receptors.
Gestalt principle of figure and ground
Gestalt means "whole" or "pattern". Basic gestalt principle is the tendency to separate figure from ground.
binocular and monocular depth cues
Binocular cues include retinal disparity (different views because eyes are 2.5" apart), convergence (going crossed eyed to see close objects),
Monocular cues are Linear perspective (line convergence), interposition((close objects block distant objects), relative size(close objects are bigger), texture gradient(details in texture), aerial perspective(far objects are hazy and blurred), light and shadow depth cues(brighter is closer).
what is transduction
Converting a stimulus from a receptor to a neural impulse. Stimulus can be light, touch, smell, sound, taste.
absolute threshold and difference threshold
Absolute threshold is minimum sensory input that is noticeable. Difference threshold is the lowest detectible change in sensory input.
sensory adaptation
Repeated stimulation decreases the number of sensory messages sent to the brain which causes decreased sensation. Putting on shoes is sensitive to feet but walking is not.

Chapter 6 - Learning

Definition of learning
A relatively permanent change is behavior or mental processes resulting from practice or experience.
Pavlov's experiment with dogs
Classical conditioning NS becomes paired with a UCS to elicit a CS.
Unconditioned and conditioned stimulus
Stimulus that elicits and unconditioned response without previous conditioning.
Conditioned stimulus is a previous neutral stimulus that has become paired with an unconditioned stimulus and now causes a conditioned response.
unconditioned and conditioned response
Unconditioned is automatic and usually biological (knee jerk). Conditioned response is learned after pairing.
extinction, generalization and discrimination
Extinction is a learned response that slowly disappears. Generalization is generalizing like stimulus.
The little Albert experiment described in the text
CER Conditioned emotional response. Loud noise plus white rat.
Schedules of reinforcement
Continuous reinforcement is every correct response is reinforced. Partial reinforcement is some but not all are reinforced. Interval is TIME based. Ratio is RESPONSE based.
Thorndikes law of effect
Positive consequences increase the chances of a behavior. Negative decreases.
Skinner believed that environment causes behavior
definition of operant conditioning
Learning in which voluntary responses are controlled by their consequences. Dog/kid training
positive and negative reinforcement
Postive Adding a stimulus which strengthens a response and makes it more likely to occur. (good grades increase studying)
Negative Subtracting a stimulus which strengthens a response and makes it more likely to occur.(alcoholism is negatively reinforced because painful stimulus is removed.
punishment
Weakens a repsponse and makes it less likely to occur. Only effective when punisher is present.

€2

Lots going on.

2008-01-18T23:23:00.000-07:00

Big changes are in the air at the Arellano household. Mandie got promoted at Sun. We have an offer on the house and are waiting of the results of the buyer home inspection. Mandie bought a '08 Golf GTI. I am studying for my BS in Business Management. Things are CRAZY!

Stay Tuned!

Madison laughs to see such a sport.

2008-01-04T22:10:00.000-07:00

My two favorite girls in the world laughing their hearts out. You never know what is going to set Madison off. She can go from laughing to screaming in one breath. Funny thing is, I wouldn't change it for anything in the world.

Madison's Reaction Video

2007-12-27T21:37:00.000-07:00

Madison loves for us to read her books. I try to enrich the story by referencing items on YouTube. Here is a reel of her reactions to those videos.

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-25T11:16:00.000-07:00

ART?

2007-12-23T23:58:00.000-07:00

Mandie and I usually disagree about keeping art that Madison makes at
daycare. It's not that that I'm an uninterested father, I just don't
believe that Madison is capable of using scissors or Elmer's glue for
their intended purposes. This is the first art project she has been
involved in that couldn't have been done without her. :-)

Quote of the year:

2007-12-23T23:19:00.000-07:00

Already a strong supporter of FREE SPEECH and SARCASM, Madison wears her "Don't tase me bro!" t-shirt with pride.

DEFINITION:

2007-12-20T22:18:00.000-07:00

(PRESENTED IN DIGITAL QUALITY)

dog /dɔg, dɒg/ Pronunciation Key - [dawg, dog]
verb, dogged, dog·ging.
–noun 1. a domesticated canid, Canis familiaris, bred in many varieties.
2. Mammal naturally found in the great wild. When found indoors can be used as "plausible deniability" to the emotionally charged question: "Did you just pass wind?!".

ANNOYANCE:

2007-12-19T20:13:00.000-07:00

"DIGITAL QUALITY"
Why does Comcast and Disk network use the phrase "Digital Quality"?

This picture is digital quality...

but it stinks.

The picture is blurry and the shadows and highlights are blown out. Most tv video has 12:1 compression. "Digital Quality" doesn't mean a thing. I almost considered getting rid of Comcast on principle alone...but I started to go through withdrawals just thinking about it. What am I supposed to do all day, read a book?

Cha Cha Cha

2007-12-18T23:42:00.001-07:00

It was Mandie's birthday on December 11th. This was recorded a few days later.

Webcam show

2007-12-15T10:40:00.000-07:00

Today I caulked the master bathtub so I had to take a shower downstairs.
After the shower I dried off, rehung the towel and went upstairs to
get dressed. Entering naked, I came upon the following scene with the webcam pointing right at me.

Old Dutch

2007-12-12T12:49:00.000-07:00

Have you ever noticed that words sound strange if you repeat them over
and over? They loose meaning after about 2 minutes. This can of
cleanser seems stranger and stranger each time I walk passed it. I
know she's supposed to be wearing a bonnet...but it's starting to look
like a hood?! Can that poor old lady see where she is going?!

I love chicken curry!

2007-12-11T21:55:00.001-07:00

If you get the chance, try the naan and chicken curry at Taste of
India on 104th and federal.

Fatherhood...

2007-08-16T23:23:00.000-06:00

...means eating the most bruised banana instead of the fresh one.

The future

2007-03-29T22:04:00.000-06:00

Here is one of my favorite quotes:

"And if these pictures have anything important to say to future generations, it's this. I was here. I existed. I was young, I was happy, and someone cared enough about me in this world to take my picture." -Sy Parrish (One Hour Photo)

People that remind me of Monica

2007-02-22T09:37:00.000-07:00

Gina Glocksen from American Idol and Kat Von D from Miami Ink.

Our new bunny!

2006-07-13T21:03:00.000-06:00

This is our new pet. Having two cats and a baby is child's play so we thought we could use something else soft and furry around the house. He does well with strangers but is a bit skittish when we bring out the broom or vacuum. I call him "Bugs".

Mandie's Thoughts - 2 months

2006-07-07T18:28:00.000-06:00

Mandie here. I thought it was about time that I contributed to our family blog which we’ve neglected somewhat over the last few weeks. However, we have a good reason for our neglect . . . over the last 9 weeks, Chris and I have been getting used to being parents.

My first thoughts on being a parent? Its bloody hard work. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Before we were parents, and even when we were pregnant, Chris and I would spend time day dreaming about how perfect our family life would be. We naively created a picture of family life that was all smiles and cooing, plenty of sleep, and a happy baby. Then reality hit.

We never imagined that something so precious and small could cause so much havoc in our lives. We never imagined that our delicate baby could deliver a cry that would be heard by neighbors in the wee hours of the morning and we certainly never thought that our angelic baby could projectile poop with such force that it could hit a target 18 inches away. Mind you, we would never have believed anyone even if they had told us prior to the birth.

I am sure that many of your reading this may be asking: “why in God’s name would anyone have children?” Here’s my take on it. I think there are two reasons why people have children:

Reason 1. After giving birth, your brain develops a new talent – it can alter reality and forget about stuff. I swear I cannot clearly remember the last 9 weeks since giving birth to Madison. Now that she is sleeping better, I can’t even recall a time when she woke up more than twice in one night – and where I got less than 2 hours sleep. Although I know deep down that this did happen – and a lot! I find myself saying things like: “Madison rarely cries unless there is a good reason” and yet I know that only three days ago she cried most of the day for no apparent reason. It’s a great talent to have – and so far I have seen it in a lot of mums who tell me that their babies were good babies and hardly ever cried.

Reason 2. Because even although you are sleep deprived and have given up all forms of a social life, one smile from your baby makes the world a better place. One smile makes you forget everything that has past and believe that there is a bright future ahead. It is the most amazing feeling in the world. Fling in a couple of “coos” and the world stands still. It’s the best feeling in the world. And one I want to share with all of you . . . check out this link of Madison cooing (for the first time) at her mother. Daddy is filming. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3OEltF3Z7g

What would you do with an extra $269,520?

2006-07-07T14:37:00.000-06:00

What would you do with an extra $269,520?

Here is what we decided to buy.

http://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/06/kidsorcash.asp

"If I can't sleep then nobody can sleep!"

2006-05-19T22:32:00.000-06:00

Most people already heard but i'm going to scream it from the mountaintops anyway. Madison is here!
She is our 6lb 11oz gift to the world. Check out her gallery by clicking on the link on the right.

2006-04-21T22:12:00.000-06:00

dam and I decided to go on a roadtrip a few weeks ago . We heard about a place called "Bishops Castle" in Colorado City, Colorado. For those that haven't been there, it is a castle that has been built by one man. Not a model of a castle, but a HOLY CRAP! sized castle.

This building is amazing! unbelievable! breathtaking!

Read about a man named Jim Bishop, his passion and his amazing accomplishment here.

If you live in Colorado, it really is a Must See!

Here Adam waits for divine inspiration but

develops a bad case of vertigo instead.

Is it a sign?

Theater -----> Daddy's Room

2006-04-21T20:27:00.000-06:00

The least used ,and the biggest room in the house, has been transformed into a mancave. 3 new light fixtures, 2 days worth of rewiring, new carpet and ceiling speakers.

Freddy, you are welcome to visit but BYOB.

Oh, and a brand new 4'x8' pool table!

1 month to go

2006-04-12T21:02:00.000-06:00

This is what 36 weeks of pregnancy looks like. 4 weeks to go.

I chose to post this picture in black and white as things are getting too colorfull around the house. There are lots of pinks, yellows and greens in the house now. It's crept from the baby's room to the bathroom. I've heard that even the color of the babies poop will be colorful. The joys of parenthood. I can't wait!

Raising a baby-Tip#1

2006-03-27T22:14:00.000-07:00

There are a few important things one should consider when thinking of having a child. The most obvious is "which way does the diaper face". We had a 50/50 chance of getting it right. Guess which way we decided to put it on?

Another thing to consider is sharing snacks with a 9 month old. Here is my nephew AJ BEFORE and AFTER asking him for a bite of his vanilla wafer. Mankind often mimicks nature in it's adaptations...the young can use their teeth, or in this case tooth for survival, proving that blood is thicker than water but even thicker yet is partially digested cookie paste.

Bathroom Remodel Finished

2006-03-21T23:42:00.000-07:00

Bathroom remodel is finished. No more purple walls for me. Never again. Beige is my new favorite color.

Why I can't stay awake.

2006-03-19T22:22:00.000-07:00

Is it that i'm getting older? Is it that reality TV has made it difficult for me to "suspend disbelief"? Is it them or is it me? Here is my problem...I CAN'T STAY AWAKE FOR MOVIES ANYMORE! I just finished watching a trailer for Mission Impossible 3. I didn't see the entire movie of course, but when I do, I hope that that Tom Cruise and his crew don't have to defeat any museum security system. When will they learn that LASER, MOTION and PRESSURE SENSITIVE systems don't work?!!! There is always some short, gymnast who will be able to backflip his flexible ass through the laser field. If this plot device happens to find it's way into MIA3, it would be the point that I fall asleep. It's not that I don't want to stay awake for a movie that I just paid $9 for. It's just that it is impossible for me to do so.

The other thing that puts me to sleep? those cheesy computer graphics shown to illustrate that someone is sending an email. When was the last time you saw a full screen progress bar that said "SENDING EMAIL".

Ok, i'll quit complaining now. I know someday a hacker is going to save the planet by uploading a virus to an alien mothership. It's only a matter of time.

ZZZzzz

Won't be long now.

2006-03-17T10:24:00.000-07:00

Let the countdown begin! Remember that the baby will be considered full term if she is early or late by a couple of weeks.

COUNTDOWN TIMER
(changes daily)

Due Date: May 15, 2006

Madison's Heartbeat

2006-03-15T05:48:00.000-07:00

Her heartbeat is about 150 beats per minute.

Baby Names

2006-03-14T13:06:00.000-07:00

Madison Ella James Arellano

Why did we choose this name? Mandie and I went back and fourth with several first names. We finally both agreed that Madison is a great name. Next came the hard part. Mandie wanted to pay tribute to her grandfather (James) who passed away in 1998.

Now if there is anyone that knows about names, and the importance of a good backup name, it's me. (No jokes or i'll kill ya) I felt that there should be a feminine name that Madison could use as a backup if her first name doesn't suit her. I asked Mandie to dip into her well of females that have influenced her life. She immediately thought of her best friend Lorainne Riddoch, but the name "Lorainne" didn't flow. Lorainne's nickname is Lala which was taken from the Teletubbies show. Lala wouldn't work so Lorainne suggested Ella as an adult version of Lala. So there it is. My surname, one chosen name and two names picked for their inspiration to Madison's mother.

Theater

2006-03-14T07:11:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows that Freddie hates a well decorated living area so we decided to banish all the monsters from our basement by brightening things up. Kurt and I spent last weekend painting most of the basment and the kitchen. Pops helped with Eric's old room. We demolished the big storage cabinet in the back of the rec room.

Eric has moved out, so after a tearfull goodbye, we have come to terms that his movie theater setup is going with him. I don't usually cry over electronics but his system kicked a$$!

66 days

2006-03-10T23:23:00.000-07:00

Pregnancy Update:

66 days left and counting. May15 is quickly approaching. Everything is going well.

Mandie is beginning to get restless. This means I do all the things asked of me. Things aren't much different than before the pregnancy, but now I have a fighting chance of outrunning her if I screw up.

Bathroom Remodel - aka Money Pit

2006-03-08T21:33:00.000-07:00

Mandie and I are currently in the nesting phase of our
pregnancy. For those who have never been pregnant, this is the phase that begins immediately after the woman pees on the stick and makes the 2 lines turn pink.

BEFORE: There have been a few stumbles along the way. One week into our bathroom remodel, we are several hundred dollars over budget.

Notice the partition for the pocket door. We wanted to open the bathroom up and make better use of the small 12'x5' space we have available. All the tile must go, and the rest of it while we are at it. We decide to keep the wonderful toilet that Adam and Amy gave us as a wedding gift. You can flush it twice in a row!

DURING: The pocket door has been ripped out. It's looking bigger and brighter already! The flooring is very thin and gives a little each step you take. Peter is being very accomodating by re-installing our toilet each day. We spent yesterday evening alternating the one extention cord between the Tivo and wireless router in an attempt to catch up on current events. The contractor had the outlet power out as he was working on the bathroom wiring. It's almost like camping...except we have a Serta pillowtop in the tent.

DURING Part 2: If we paid by the hour, we would be broke! The contractors are doing a great job. They were supposed to be finished today but won't be done until Wed. Vanity, grout and painting is all that is left.

Those of you that think this is slow haven't seen Jeff pretending to grab the check after a dinner! ;-)

Why I like Chuck Norris.

2006-03-08T09:21:00.000-07:00

-Chuck Norris once visited The Virgin Islands. They are now called The Islands.

-A Handicap parking sign does not signify that this spot is for handicapped people. It is actually in fact a warning, that the spot belongs to Chuck Norris and that you will be handicapped if you park there.

-To prove it isn't that big of a deal to beat cancer. Chuck Norris smoked 15 cartons of cigarettes a day for 2 years and aquired 7 different kinds of cancer only to rid them from his body by flexing for 30 minutes. Beat that, Lance Armstrong.

-If you see Chuck Norris crying he will grant you a wish, if your wish is dying.

2006-03-03T21:41:00.000-07:00

Mandie's Nephew Aiden calls us in Janurary and sings.

Remodeling Begins

2006-03-03T20:48:00.000-07:00

Our contractor Peter and his brother are remodeling the upstairs bathroom and replacing the flooring in the dining room. Mandie and I rejoice that our ritualistic bathing is optional for the week as there is no shower or bathtub upstairs.

Here I tell Obie that he can keep any change that he finds in the heating ducts. That Obie is soo gullible.

1st post

2006-02-28T22:07:00.000-07:00

The people Mandie and I care about are going about their lives on several continents. I hope to use the internet as a tool to bring us a little closer to everyone.