Biopsych Sensation and Perception Review

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on sensation and perception.

Sensation

The process of detecting the presence of stimuli, involving activation of specialized sensory receptors that convert environmental stimuli into neural signals.

Perception

The higher order process of integrating, recognizing, and interpreting patterns of sensations to create meaningful experiences.

Primary Sensory Cortex

The part of the cortex that receives the majority of sensory input from the thalamic relay nuclei.

Secondary Sensory Cortex

Receives most of the input from the primary sensory cortex of the same system.

Association Cortex

Any area of the cortex that integrates input from multiple sensory systems.

Hierarchical Organization

A feature of sensory systems where input is assigned to specific levels or ranks in relation to one another.

Functional Segregation

The idea that different parts of the brain process distinct types of sensory information separately.

Parallel Processing

Simultaneous analysis of a signal in different ways by multiple parallel pathways of a neural network.

Frequency (in sound)

Number of vibrations per second, perceived as pitch (high vs. low).

Amplitude (in sound)

Size of the sound wave, perceived as loudness (soft vs. loud).

Waveform (in sound)

Shape of the sound wave, perceived as timbre (tone quality).

Duration (in sound)

Length of the sound wave, perceived as how long a sound lasts.

Somatosensory System

The system that processes sensory input from the skin and body, including touch, temperature, and pain.

Exteroceptive System

The part of the somatosensory system that involves external stimuli applied to the skin.

Astereognosia

Inability to recognize objects by touch.

Neuropathic Pain

Pain that occurs without a clear stimulus, often due to damage of the PNS or CNS.

Gustation

The sense of taste that identifies nutritious vs. harmful food.

Olfaction

The sense of smell that detects danger and helps locate food and resources.

Top-down processing

When the brain uses existing information to interpret sensory information, incorporating expectations and predictions.

Sensory Adaptation

A decrease in sensitivity to a constant stimulus over time.