Lecture 11: Senses and Perception Flashcards
What are the main areas of research in psychology that investigate the relationship between sensation, perception, and behavior?
Psychophysics, experimental psychology, and neuroscience are the primary areas of research that explore the connection between sensation, perception, behavior, and neural activity in the brain.
What are receptor neurons, and how do they contribute to sensation?
Receptor neurons are specialized cells that detect specific stimuli (e.g., light, sound, pressure) from the environment, filter and transform this sensory information into neural signals that can be processed by the brain. This transformation is essential for sensory perception.
What is the function of mechanoreceptors, and give an example of one?
Mechanoreceptors detect mechanical changes, such as pressure, touch, and vibration. For example, the Pacinian corpuscle is a mechanoreceptor found in the skin that transmits signals related to pressure and vibration from the skin to the spinal cord.
How do receptor neurons vary in terms of receptive fields and response thresholds?
Receptor neurons can have different receptive fields (the area over which they respond to stimuli) and response thresholds (the minimum stimulus intensity required to elicit a response). These variations help in filtering and coding sensory information, allowing for more precise and efficient sensory processing.
What is the difference between phasic and tonic receptors in terms of adaptation?
Phasic receptors respond quickly to stimuli but adapt rapidly, meaning their response diminishes after the initial exposure to the stimulus. Tonic receptors, on the other hand, respond slowly and continuously to stimuli, adapting more slowly over time. This adaptation allows the nervous system to optimize the coding of stimuli, ensuring that important information is not missed.
What is the labelled line principle in sensory processing?
The labelled line principle suggests that different types of sensory receptors project their signals to distinct areas of the brain. This means that the brain can differentiate between types of sensory information (e.g., touch, sound, temperature) based on the specific neural pathways activated.
How is sensory information processed in the brain?
Sensory signals are processed through serial processing, where receptor signals are transmitted through hierarchical layers of sensory pathways to subcortical and cortical brain areas. This allows for more complex processing and integration of sensory input from both internal and external stimuli.
What are somatotopic maps, and how do they relate to sensory perception?
Somatotopic maps are neural representations of the body in the brain. In these maps, adjacent areas of the body are generally represented by adjacent areas in the sensory cortex. This organization helps to process sensory information from the body in a structured and efficient way.
What is experience-dependent plasticity in the context of cortical maps?
Experience-dependent plasticity refers to the brain’s ability to reorganize and adapt its cortical maps based on sensory experience. For example, after extensive training or the loss of a body part, the brain’s sensory maps can change to reflect these new experiences or needs.
How can sensory input be suppressed, and what are the mechanisms involved?
Sensory input can be suppressed through the use of accessory organs (such as the ear’s hair cells that adapt to loud noises) or through top-down processes, where higher brain areas (like the cortex) inhibit sensory signals. This suppression helps focus attention on relevant stimuli and prevents sensory overload.
