SKIN SENSES Skin senses n Skin is our

SKIN SENSES

Skin senses n Skin is our largest sense organ n We have skin receptors for PRESSURE, PAIN, AND TEMPERATURE

Responding to stimulus The brain draws on multiple sources of information in responding to TACTILE stimulation n It’s not just what you feel, it’s what you expect or anticipate also n Example: you can step on a pebble on purpose and it won’t hurt much, but if you step on one accidentally, it hurts more n

Receptors The face and fingertips are the most sensitive areas n Skin receptors also undergo sensory adaptation: you get used to cold water in a swimming pool; you don’t notice an IV needle after a while n

PAIN n Pain is a warning signal— we need it n People vary in pain tolerance and thresholds

Pain tolerance theories GATE CONTROL THEORY: suggests that a neurological gate in the spinal cord controls pain impulses to the brain. If the gate is open, we feel more pain n Large nerve fibers close the gate, small ones open it up. Larger fibers = high pain tolerance n

BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL THEORY Biological, psychological, and social variables interact in the perception of pain n Biology: underlying injury or disease, nervous system pathways n Psychology: Beliefs about pain, motivation n Social: personality, believing you can overcome pain, positive thinking n