PSYCHOLOGY- SENSATION AND PERCEPTION

Sensation

the initial detection and processing of stimuli

3 steps of sensation

1. reception

2. transduction

3. transmission

Reception

the process of detecting and responding to incoming sensory information

Transduction

the process by which the sensory receptors change the energy of the detected sensory information into a form which can travel along neural pathways (electrochemical energy) to the brain as action potentials

Transmission

the process of sending the sensory information (as action potentials) to relevant areas of the brain via the thalamus (except smell)

when does the physical process of sensation finish?

when transmission finishes

Perception

when sensory information the brain receives is organised and given meaning

is perception active or passive?

active

3 steps of perception

1. selection

2. organisation

3. interpretation

Selection

the process where brain filters stimuli, selecting important features for further processing while ignoring unimportant stimuli

Organisation

the process of reassembling the features of sensory stimuli to form a whole or pattern that can be given meaning

Interpretation

the process whereby the brain interprets these wholes, giving them meaning