1. Sensation and perception Flashcards
Define the physical process of sensation.
Sensation is the detection and taking in of information through our sense organs.
It is a physiological/physical process.
Sense organs*
Sense organs contain receptors that detect both internal and external stimuli.
Processes of sensation
- Reception
- Transduction
- Transmission
Outline the processes of reception.
Sensory receptors in a sense organ detect the presence of stimuli.
Outline the processes of transduction.
Sensory receptors convert stimulus energy into electrochemical energy.
E.g. light from a painting is converted into an electrochemical message.
Explain why transduction is considered to be electrochemical.
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.
Outline the processes of transmission.
Electrochemical message leaves the sensory neuron and travels towards the brain.
E.g. electrochemical message of the light stimulus is sent to the brain.
Smell
Identify seven stimuli and the sense organs that receive each stimuli.
Type of stimulus: Chemical
Sense organ: Nose
(olfaction)
Hearing
Identify seven stimuli and the sense organs that receive each stimuli.
Type of stimulus: Sound waves
Sense organ: Ear - cochlea
(audition)
Sight
Identify seven stimuli and the sense organs that receive each stimuli.
Type of stimulus: Visible light
Sense organ: Eye
(vision)
Retina and photoreceptors
Taste
Identify seven stimuli and the sense organs that receive each stimuli.
Type of stimulus: Chemical
Sense organ: Tongue
(gustation)
Taste buds on papilla
Touch and other skin sensations
Identify seven stimuli and the sense organs that receive each stimuli.
Type of stimulus: Thermal, mechanical
Sense organ: Skin
(pain, temperature, and pressure)
Hair follicle receptor
Balance
Identify seven stimuli and the sense organs that receive each stimuli.
Type of stimulus: Mechanical
Sense organ: Ear - semicircular canals
(equilibrium)
Fluid in canals
Muscle sensations
Identify seven stimuli and the sense organs that receive each stimuli.
Type of stimulus: Mechanical
Sense organ: Receptors in joints, muscles, and tendons
(kinaesthesis)
Define the term perception.
Perception is the brain organising, interpreting, and giving meaning to the stimuli the sense organs take in.
It is a psychological process.
Processes of perception
- Selection
- Organisation
- Interpretation
Outline the processes of selection.
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.
Outline the processes of organisation.
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.
Outline the process of interpretation.
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.
Define the term attention.
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.
Divided attention
Focusing on two or more stimuli at the same time.
Simple tasks can be completed using divided attention.
Selective attention
Focusing on a single stimuli while blocking out all other stimuli.
Complex tasks require selective attention.
Cocktail Party Effect (Cherry, 1953)
The human ability to separate one conversation from another.
