SENSATION

The basics, vision, and hearing, and

the other senses

THE BASICS
Sensation- the stimulation of sensory
receptors and the transmission of sensory
information to the CNS.
Perception- the psychological process through
which we interpret sensory information.
Absolute Threshold- the weakest amount of
stimulation that can be sensed.
Difference Threshold- the minimum amount of
difference that can be detected between two
stimuli.

Signal-Detection Theory- a method of

distinguishing sensory stimuli that takes
into account not only their strengths but
also such elements as setting, your
physical state, your mood, and attitude.
Sensory Adaptation- the process by
which we become more sensitive to weak
stimuli and less sensitive to unchanging
stimuli.

VISION
THE EYE
Pupil- the opening in the
center of the eye that
adjusts to allow light to
enter.
Lens- the transparent
structure that focuses
light on the retina.
Retina- the inner surface
of the eye that processes
visual stimuli.

Photoreceptorsneurons sensitive
to light.
Colorblindnesspartial or total
inability to
distinguish color.

HEARING
Pitch- how high or
low the sound is
dependent upon its
frequency of the
sound waves.
Loudnessdetermined by the
height or amplitude
of sound waves.

THE EAR
Cochlea- boney tube
that contains fluid as
well as neurons that
move in response to
vibrations in the fluids
creating neural
impulses.
Auditory Nervetransmits neural
impulses to the brain.

S M E L L , TA S T E , A N D T O U C H
SKIN SENSES (touch)
SMELL
Pressure- sensory
Olfactory nerve- sends receptors are located
information about odors around the roots of hair
detected by receptor
cells and beneath the skin.
neurons to the brain.
Temperature- receptors
TASTE- sensed
are neurons just beneath
through receptor
the skin.
neurons located on
Pain- more receptors in
taste buds on the
certain areas mean more
tongue.
sensitive that area is.

B ODY SENSES
Vestibular
Sense- a sense
that provides
information
about the
position of the
body.

Kinesthesis- a
sense that
provides
information about
the position and
movement of
individual body
parts.