lecture 5: sensory processes Flashcards
1
Q
sensation
A
detection of physical energy by sense organ which sends that information to the brain
2
Q
perception
A
brain’s interpretation of raw sensory input
3
Q
key principles of sensation
A
- transduction - external stimulus is converted to electrical impulses within the brain (sound, light, etc.)
- absolute threshold - lowest level of a stimulus need to the nervous system to detect 50% of the time
- weber’s law - constant proportional relationship between the smallest change we can detect and the original stimulus intensity
4
Q
stimuli for senses
A
- sight: light through eyes
- hearing: soundwaves (vibrating air) through ears
- touch: cutaneous sense, pressure, temp, pain through skin
- smell: odourant molecules in air interactingw with chemicals in nose
- taste: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, umami, receptors in tongue
5
Q
sensory capabilities of an infant
A
vision and hearing develop first but infants have all senses. develop slowly, have to learn proprioception and location of objects in space. touch is vital to relationship development
6
Q
effects of sensory decline on functioning and quality of life
A
- sharp drop after 70
- behavioural compensation
- macular degeneration
- women more affected with vision difficulties
- increase chance of stumbling or falls
- can impact confidence
- auditory processes slower
- hearing loss can impact social connection and satisfaction
7
Q
somatosensory and body senses
A
- pain for response to harm
- vestibular for balance and spatial orientation
- proprioception/kinasthetic for body position relative to itself
8
Q
concussion
A
plays with balance, light sensitivity, hearing
9
Q
conditions that can impact senses
A
- touch: burns, diabetes, frostbite, autism
- hearing: adjustment to loud environments, tinnitus, mental experiences, viruses
- vision: cataracts, hallucinogens, diabetes
- smell: cold, toxic smells, radiation, smoking
- taste: cold, smoking, bell’s pallsy
