MODULE 4_SENSATION AND PERCEPTION
MODULE 4: SENSATION AND PERCEPTION
Instructor: Dr. Rachelle S. Garcia/Blas/Laza
Page 1: Introduction
Overview of the relationship between sensation and perception.
Page 2: Key Concepts
Sensation vs. Perception: Differentiates sensation as the initial detection of stimuli and perception as the organization and interpretation of sensory input.
Types of Sensation: Haptic (touch), echoic (hearing), iconic (sight), olfactory (smell), gustatory (taste).
Page 3: Definitions
Sensation: Awareness from stimulation of sense organs; it involves receiving information via sensory organs.
Perception: Organizing and interpreting incoming information for understanding and reaction.
Page 4: Interaction of Sensation and Perception
Sensation and perception work together for complete sensory experience.
Combination of current environmental learning and prior knowledge aids comprehension.
Page 5: Transduction
Transduction: Conversion of stimuli by receptor cells into electrical impulses sent to the brain.
Absolute Threshold: Minimum stimulation needed for detection of stimulus.
Psychophysics: Studies the relationship between physical stimuli and sensory experiences.
Page 6: Sensitivity and Response Bias
Sensitivity: The true ability to detect a stimulus.
Response Bias: Likelihood to respond affirmatively regardless of sensitivity.
Difference Threshold / Just Noticeable Difference (JND): Smallest change in a stimulus that can be detected, governed by Weber's Law (constant proportion).
Page 7: Vision - Sense of Sight
Anatomy of the Human Eye: Light follows a pathway from cornea -> pupil (iris) -> lens -> retina -> optic nerve to the visual cortex.
Images are processed upside down on the retina before transmission to the brain.
Page 8: Primary Visual Cortex
Primary Visual Cortex: Located in the occipital lobe, responsible for awareness of visual stimuli.
Page 9: Depth Perception
Convergence: Eyes turn inward to focus on nearby objects; a binocular cue for depth.
Linear Perspective: Parallel lines appear to converge in the distance, indicating depth.
Page 10: Sense of Hearing
Sound waves travel through the ear: pinna -> external auditory canal -> eardrum -> ossicles -> cochlea.
Hair Cells: Convert vibrations into neural signals, sent via the auditory nerve to the brain.
Page 11: Auditory Processing
Processing of sound signals in the auditory cortex allows perception of pitch, loudness, and timbre.
Page 12: Sound Characteristics
Frequency: Determines pitch.
Amplitude: Relates to loudness measured in decibels (dB).
Thresholds: 0 dB absolute threshold; sounds above 80 dB can cause hearing loss.
Page 13: Levels of Noise
Various decibel levels and associated sounds, indicating potential discomfort or danger:
140 dB: Painful (e.g., fireworks)
120 dB: Uncomfortable (e.g., jet planes)
80 dB: Loud (e.g., alarm clocks) and can cause hearing loss with prolonged exposure.
Page 14: Gustation - Sense of Taste
Six taste sensations: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, piquancy (spicy), umami (savory).
Taste buds trigger nerve impulses sent to sensory cortex during chewing.
Page 15: Olfaction - Sense of Smell
Smell enhances the experience of taste; airborne molecules stimulate olfactory receptors.
Olfactory bulb houses 10-20 million receptor cells, capable of detecting many odors.
Page 16: Age and Smell
Significant decline in sense of smell occurs between ages 60-70, affecting taste and perception.
Page 17: Sense of Touch
Skin as the largest organ, with nerve endings sensitive to pressure, pain, and temperature.
Page 18: Tactile Mechanoreceptors
Two primary receptors:
Meissner's Corpuscles: Detect light touch and texture.
Pacinian Corpuscles: Sense deep pressure and vibration.
Page 19: Proprioception
Proprioception: Awareness of body position and movement.
Vestibular System: Monitors head position and movement, maintaining balance via fluid-filled canals and sacs.
Page 20: Summary of Sensation and Perception
Comparison of senses:
Vision: Light waves
Hearing/Auditory: Sound waves
Smell/Olfactory: Odor molecules
Taste/Gustation: Food flavors
Touch: Pressure change
Proprioception: Body movement awareness.