Sense and Perception Basics

Differentiate between sensation and perception. Consider whether they are a simultaneous process and defend your response with examples. 

Differentiate between sensation and perception. Consider whether they are a simultaneous process and defend your response with examples. 

1. Sensation -  refers to the initial detection of stimuli by sensory receptors. It is a physiological process where specialized neurons respond to specific types of stimuli, such as light, sound, or temperature. For example, when light enters the eye, it triggers chemical changes in retinal cells, leading to the creation of action potentials that convey this sensory information to the brain. This process is primarily about the raw data our senses collect from the environment.

2. Perception is the psychological process that involves organizing, interpreting, and consciously experiencing sensory information. It is how we make sense of the sensations we detect. For instance, upon smelling freshly baked cookies, the sensation of the scent activates olfactory receptors, but perception allows us to associate that smell with pleasant memories of home and family gatherings.

3. While sensation and perception can occur almost simultaneously, they are not the same process. Sensation is the initial response to stimuli, whereas perception is the interpretation of those stimuli based on prior experiences, knowledge, and context. For example, when entering a crowded restaurant, you may initially sense a cacophony of sounds (sensation), but you selectively focus on your friend's voice amidst the noise (perception). This distinction is also evident in phenomena like sensory adaptation. For example, when you first enter a brightly lit room after being in the dark, the light sensation is intense, but after a short while, you may no longer perceive the brightness as overwhelming. The initial sensation of brightness fades, demonstrating that while the sensory receptors are still active, your perception of the light changes due to adaptation.

Describe sensory adaption

Reduced sensitivity to stimuli over time.

How do researchers study sensory adaption? Consider an example from your own life.

By experimenting with participants content exposer to stimulus. An example is not really knowing what you smell like.

Distinguish between top-down and bottom-up processing and give an example of each.