Sensation

Sensation

Objectives:

  1. Contrast the process of sensation and perception.

  2. Distinguish between absolute and difference thresholds.

  3. Describe the phenomenon of sensory adaptation, and explain its functional value.

  4. Describe how the process of perception is directed and limited by selective attention.

  5. Explain the visual process, including the stimulus input, the structure of the eye, and the transduction of light energy.

  6. Explain the value of parallel processing.

  7. Explain Young-Helmholtz and opponent-process theories of color vision.

  8. Explain the auditory process, including the stimulus input and the structure and function of the ear.

  9. Explain the place and frequency theories of pitch perception.

  10. Describe how we locate sounds.

  11. Discuss the nature and causes of hearing loss.

  12. Describe the sense of touch.

  13. Explain the basis of pain.

  14. Describe the senses of taste and smell, and comment on the nature of sensory interaction.

  15. Distinguish between kinesthesis and the vestibular sense.

Vocabulary: sensation, perception, bottom-up processing, top-down processing, psychophysics, absolute threshold, signal detection theory, subliminal, difference threshold, Weber’s Law, sensory adaptation, selective attention, transduction, wavelength, hue, intensity, pupil, iris, lens, accommodation, retina, acuity, nearsightedness, farsightedness, rods, cones, optic nerve, blind spot, fovea, feature detectors, parallel processing , Young-Helmholtz Trichromatic (three color) theory, opponent process theory, color consistency, audition, frequency, pitch, middle ear, inner ear, cochlea, place theory, frequency theory, conduction hearing loss, Sensorinueral hearing loss, gate-control theory, sensory interaction, kinesthesis, vestibular sense.