Sensation Perception Sensation stimulation of sensory receptors Transmission

Sensation & Perception Sensation: stimulation of sensory receptors. Transmission of sensory information to brain. Perception: Process by which sensations are organized and interpreted, forming an inner representation of the world. Fechner’s Psychophysics (1860)

Sensation & Perception Internet Listening & General Fun: Radio Lab (www. wnyc. org) n Season Two: “Musical Language”, “Where Am I? ” http: //www. girlsgotech. org/mixed_messages. html http: //www 2. b 3 ta. com/clickthecolour/ Learning Objectives: Vision Taction Audition Vestibular Olfaction Kinesthesis Gustation

Psychophysics n n Gustav Fechner “Elements of Psychophysics” 1860 Considered by many as the true birth of Psychology as a science. Psychophysics: gap between the physical and psychological worlds.

Sensation & Perception n Sensation: u stimulation of sensory receptors. u transmission of sensory information to the brain. n Perception: u Process by which sensations are organized and interpreted, forming an inner representation of the world.

Overview of the Senses Physical Energy Senses Vision / Audition / Taction Chemical Senses Gustation / Olfaction Motion-Gravity Senses

Vision Sensing and perceiving light waves Lightwaves vary in length and amplitude Wave length = affects color perception Wave amplitude = affects brightness Light is the source of all color. Additive (light) vs. Subtractive (pigment)

Vision (L) ROY G BIV (S) So what colors are missing?

Structures of the Eye n n n Cornea: allows light in Iris: muscle Pupil: controls amount of light Lens: focuses light Retina: receives information about light

Retina n n Inner membrane of eye, receives information about light using rods & cones. Functions much like the spinal cord: acts as an “information superhighway”.

Rods n n n 125 million, rod shaped receptors sensitive only to intensity of light important for night (very sensitive), and peripheral vision (many are located on periphery of retina).

Cone s n n n 6. 5 million, cone shaped receptors. transmits sensation of colors. mostly located around the center of the eye (fovea). Important in daylight and color vision. Don’t work well in dim light.

Fovea n Located near the center of the retina. most dense with cones and some rods. Vision is most acute, where you bring images into focus. n Fovea means “pit” n n n

Optic Nerve n n n Transmits sensory information from eye to brain (Occipital lobe of cerebral cortex). Converting physical energy into meaningful information for the brain. Critical Thinking Challenge

Theories of Color Vision n Trichromatic Theory u Afterimage n n n (a problem) Opponent-Process Theory Trichromat (normal color vision) Color Blindness u. Dichromat, Monochromat

Visual Perception n Gestalt Psychologists u. Wertheimer, n n n Kohler, Koffka Gestalt rules Top-Down Processing Bottom-Up Processing

Perception of Movement n n Illusions (misperceptions) Autokinetic Effect Stroboscopic Motion Phi-Phenomenon

Some Fun Phenomenon n n Attention: Cocktail Party Effect Stroop Effect GREEN / RED

3 PARTS OF THE EAR PART FUNCTION STRUCTURE(S) OUTER FUNNELS Pinnas or Auricles sound waves MIDDLE AMPLIFIES sound waves TRANSLATES INNER information for brain Eardrum, hammer, anvil, & stirrup Cochlea, Basilar Membrane, Organ of Corti, AUDITORY NERVE

Hearing Problems n n Conductive Deafness u. Loss of conduction u. Middle ear Sensorineural Deafness u. Damage to hair cells uinner ear

Chemical Senses n n n Olfaction Sampling odor molecules Crucial contribution to gustation Gustation 4 Primary taste qualities 10, 000 taste buds

Tactio n n n Touch and Pressure Temperature Pain u. Prostaglandins, Bradykinnin, Substance P Gate Theory

n n n Kinesthesis: motion (kinesis= motion, aisthesis=perception) Vestibular Sense: inner ear u Position relative to gravity. u Sense of equilibrium. n ESP: Is it sensory info? u File-Drawer Problem u Déjà vu & Jamias vu