Sensation and Perception Quick Notes

Sensation and Perception

Sensation is the process of receiving stimulus energies from the external environment and transforming them into neural energy. Perception is organizing and interpreting sensory information to make sense of it, giving meaning to sensation.

Processing in Sensation and Perception

Bottom-Up Processing is initiated by sensory input, wherein the brain processes individual features before combining them to identify an object. Top-Down Processing is initiated by cognitive processing, where expectations and prior knowledge influence perception, allowing the brain to fill in missing details.

Sensory Receptors and Classes

Sensory Receptors are specialized cells detecting and transmitting sensory information to the brain via neural pathways. Receptor classes include:

• Photoreception: Detects light, perceived as sight.

• Mechanoreception: Detects pressure, vibration, movement, perceived as touch, hearing, equilibrium.

• Chemoreception: Detects chemical stimuli, perceived as smell and taste.

Extrasensory Perception (ESP) or