Unit 1C Sec 1- Sensation Fundamentals

Question 1

Sensation

Answer 1

The process by which our sensory receptors & nervous system receive + represent stimulus energies from our environment

Question 2

Vision (sight)

Answer 2

Perception of light and color through eyes

Question 3

Hearing

Answer 3

Perception of sound waves through ears

Question 4

Smell (olfaction)

Answer 4

Perception of odors through the nose

Question 5

Taste (gustation)

Answer 5

Perception of flavors through the tongue

Question 6

Touch (tactile)

Answer 6

Perception of pressure, temperature, and texture through skin

Question 7

Perception

Answer 7

The process of organizing and interpreting sensory info to make sense of the world around us
- Involves brain’s interpretation of sensory inputs; can be influenced by past experiences, expectations, and context

Question 8

Transduction

Answer 8

The conversion of sensory stimuli into neural impulses that can be understood by the brain
- Transformation of physical energy into electrochemical signals; enables the brain to interpret & perceive sensory info

Question 9

Vision (sight) location

Answer 9

Located in: Retina
( in the photoreceptor cells called rods & cones)

Question 10

Hearing

Answer 10

Located in: Cochlea
( in the hair cells of the Organ of Corti)

Question 11

Smell (olfaction)

Answer 11

Located in: Olfactory epithelium
(in the nasal cavity)

Question 12

Taste (gustation)

Answer 12

Located in: Taste buds
(On the tongue; roof of mouth +throat)

Question 13

Touch (Tactile)

Answer 13

Located in: Various receptors in the skin
(Ex: Merkel cells, Messiner’s corpuscles, Pacinian corpuscles)

Question 14

Absolute Threshold

Answer 14

The minimum amount of stimulation required for a stimulus to be detected by a sensory system
- Represents the point at which a stimulus becomes noticeable to an individual at least 50% of the time

Question 15

Vision

Answer 15

Absolute threshold limit: A candle flame seen at 30 miles on a clear, dark night

Question 16

Hearing

Answer 16

Absolute threshold limit: The tick of a watch from 20 feet away in a quiet room

Question 17

Smell

Answer 17

Absolute threshold limit: One drop of perfume diffused throughout a three-room apartment

Question 18

Taste

Answer 18

Absolute threshold limit: One teaspoon of sugar in two gallons of water

Question 19

Touch (pressure)

Answer 19

A bee’s wing falling on your cheek from a height of 1 centimeter

Question 19

Just-Noticeable Difference (JND)

Answer 19

The smallest change in a stimulus that can be detected by an individual
- Minimal difference needed for a person to perceive that a change has occurred

Question 20

Weber’s law

Answer 20

The perceived difference in a stimulus must be proportional to the original intensity of the stimulus
- The bigger something is, the more you need to change it to notice a difference

Question 21

Sensory Adaption

Answer 21

The process by which sensory receptors become less responsive to constant stimuli over time

Question 22

Synesthesia

Answer 22

A condition in which stimulation of one sensory pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in another sensory pathway