1. Sensation and perception

Question 1

Define the physical process of sensation.

Answer 1

Sensation is the detection and taking in of information through our sense organs.

It is a physiological/physical process.

Question 2

Sense organs*

Answer 2

Sense organs contain receptors that detect both internal and external stimuli.

Question 3

Processes of sensation

Answer 3

1. Reception
2. Transduction
3. Transmission

Question 4

Outline the processes of reception.

Answer 4

Sensory receptors in a sense organ detect the presence of stimuli.

Question 5

Outline the processes of transduction.

Answer 5

Sensory receptors convert stimulus energy into electrochemical energy.

E.g. light from a painting is converted into an electrochemical message.

Question 6

Explain why transduction is considered to be electrochemical.

Answer 6

The action potential is an electrical impulse (electro) that travels down the axon of the sensory neuron towards the brain. Then neurotransmitters (chemical) transmit the signal across the synapse.

Question 7

Outline the processes of transmission.

Answer 7

Electrochemical message leaves the sensory neuron and travels towards the brain.

E.g. electrochemical message of the light stimulus is sent to the brain.

Question 8

Smell

Identify seven stimuli and the sense organs that receive each stimuli.

Answer 8

Type of stimulus: Chemical
Sense organ: Nose

(olfaction)

Question 9

Hearing

Identify seven stimuli and the sense organs that receive each stimuli.

Answer 9

Type of stimulus: Sound waves
Sense organ: Ear - cochlea

(audition)

Question 10

Sight

Identify seven stimuli and the sense organs that receive each stimuli.

Answer 10

Type of stimulus: Visible light
Sense organ: Eye

(vision)

Retina and photoreceptors

Question 11

Taste

Identify seven stimuli and the sense organs that receive each stimuli.

Answer 11

Type of stimulus: Chemical
Sense organ: Tongue

(gustation)

Taste buds on papilla

Question 12

Touch and other skin sensations

Identify seven stimuli and the sense organs that receive each stimuli.

Answer 12

Type of stimulus: Thermal, mechanical
Sense organ: Skin

(pain, temperature, and pressure)

Hair follicle receptor

Question 13

Balance

Identify seven stimuli and the sense organs that receive each stimuli.

Answer 13

Type of stimulus: Mechanical
Sense organ: Ear - semicircular canals

(equilibrium)

Fluid in canals

Question 14

Muscle sensations

Identify seven stimuli and the sense organs that receive each stimuli.

Answer 14

Type of stimulus: Mechanical
Sense organ: Receptors in joints, muscles, and tendons

(kinaesthesis)

Question 15

Define the term perception.

Answer 15

Perception is the brain organising, interpreting, and giving meaning to the stimuli the sense organs take in.

It is a psychological process.

Question 16

Processes of perception

Answer 16

1. Selection
2. Organisation
3. Interpretation

Question 17

Outline the processes of selection.

Answer 17

The brain filters the stimuli by responding to specific features of a stimulus while ignoring the rest.

E.g. brain pays attention to the stimuli from the art and not from the wall the art is hanging on.

Question 18

Outline the processes of organisation.

Answer 18

The grouping of the features of the sensory stimuli in a meaningful manner.

E.g. recognition of familiar objects/shapes for interpretation such as the tree and the round sun in the painting.

Question 19

Outline the process of interpretation.

Answer 19

Giving meaning to the sensory stimuli.

E.g. brain assigns meaning to the painting stimuli as an image of a tree in a sunny landscape.

Question 20

Define the term attention.

Answer 20

A state in which a person can respond to a stimulus.

It is a combination of how long a person can focus and how many things they can focus on.

Question 21

Divided attention

Answer 21

Focusing on two or more stimuli at the same time.

Simple tasks can be completed using divided attention.

Question 22

Selective attention

Answer 22

Focusing on a single stimuli while blocking out all other stimuli.

Complex tasks require selective attention.

Question 23

Cocktail Party Effect (Cherry, 1953)

Answer 23

The human ability to separate one conversation from another.