Sensation and Perception

Question 1

What do Sensory Systems do?

Answer 1

Detect physical events in the world, process this information to some extent and convey it to the brain

Question 2

What are sensory processes?

Answer 2

The responses of low-level mechanisms within a given modality which depends on the magnitude of the stimulus, the adaptation state of the system and the internal noise.

Question 3

What is perception?

Answer 3

The organisation, identification and interpretation of sensory information in order to represent and understand the environment

Question 4

Name the three somatosensory systems

Answer 4

Proprioception
Exteroception
Interoception

Question 5

What is the Proprioception somatosensory system made up of? and what is its function?

Answer 5

Skeletal muscle, joint capsule, skin

Enable us to have conscious awareness of the posture of the movements (inner body sensations) of our own body, especially our limbs and head

Question 6

What is the Exteroception somatosensory system made up of?

What is its function?

Answer 6

Touch, contact, pressure, stroking, vibration AND active motor components: striking, tapping , grasping, pressing.
Also includes thermal sense and pain

Important in guiding behaviour

Question 7

What is the Interoception somatosensory system?

Answer 7

Is the sense of the major organ systems of the body and its internal state.
Most events recorded by the receptors do not become conscious sensations.
Information conveyed by these receptors is crucial for regulating autonomic functions: cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive and renal

Question 8

What are the 4 attributes that sensory systems mediate?

Answer 8

Modality
Location
Intensity
Duration