Introduction To Psychology

Mr. Gian Ramos

Lesson III – Sensory and Perception

This will provide an overview of how sensory Example: Air (breeze), Vibrations, gasses,
information is received and processed by the chemicals and etc.
nervous system and how that affects our conscious 2. A person’s senses respond to a limited range
experience of the world. We begin by learning the of environmental stimuli
distinction between sensation and perception. Then Example: We cannot hear sound of above
we consider the physical properties of light and 20,000 Hz, since senses have cap in detecting
sound stimuli, along with an overview of the basic such frequencies, but bats (echolocation) and
structure and function of the major sensory systems. dogs can hear them.
Sensation Some Physical stimuli that our bodies are
- Resulting from the stimulation of a sense sensitive to the following:
organ 1. Light as experienced through vision (our
- It is the process by which we receive eyes can only receive a certain level of
information from from the environment acceptable dim of light)
When sensory information is detected by a sensory a. Visible light is part of the
receptor, sensation has occurred. For example, light electromagnetic spectrum
that enters the eye causes chemical changes in cells b. Properties of light like
that line the back of the eye. 1. Intensity (Brightness)
2. Wavelength (Hue)
These cells relay messages, in the form of action 3. Complexity or purity (Saturation)
potentials to the central nervous system. 2. Sound as experienced through audition
What kind of Information? Properties of sound:
i. Intensity (Loudness)
1. Light- Vision ii. Frequency (pitch)
2. Sound- Hearing iii. Wave form (timbre)
3. Chemicals- Taste and smell iv. There is not a one-to-one
4. Pressure, Temperature, pain- sense of touch relationship between i-iii properties
5. Orientation, Balance- Kinesthetic Senses v. Example: intensity can influence
Environmental Information (stimuli) exists in pitch and vice-versa
many forms Sensory processes are the initial steps to perception

1. Physical stimulus must first be introduced to Transduction

the senses.

Noted by: Dionn Christian S. Pante

 Introduction To Psychology
Mr. Gian Ramos
Lesson III – Sensory and Perception

The process of converting energy of a stimulus into Refers to the way sensory information is
neutral activity. The stimulus is recoded as a organized, interpreted, and consciously
neutral pattern. experienced. Perception involves both bottom-up
Transduction can be affected by our and top-down processing
experiences, such as adaptation, a constant level of Bottom-up processes
stimulus results in a decreased responses over time. These are processes that are involved in
With continued exposure, the neutral response to identifying a stimulus by analyzing the information
the stimulus may change. available in the external stimulus
Adaptation is also perception, not just sensory.
Perception For example: You saw a red flower and every time
The organization, interpretation of you senvision a red flower, you might remember the
sensations and consciously experienced visual you just saw (came from vision into
Sensation usually involves sensing the perception)
existence of a stimulus so we can identify its This also refers to information processing
meaning. that begins at the receptor level and continues to
Sensation higher brain centers
Is a physical process, whereas perception is Top-down processes
psychological These are the provedure that go into
Sensation usually involves sensing the recognizing a stimulus by applying our existing
existence of a stimulus, whereas perceptual systems understanding of the circumstance. This information
involve the determination of what a stimulus is is based on prior experiences and enable us to set
Attention and motivation expectations about how we should see certain
Determine what is sensed versus what is things.
perceived
Signal Detection Theory For example, you were asked to explain what an
Ability to idedntify a stimulus when it is ‘ice’ is. Now even though you are not touching or
embedded in a distracting background holding one at the moment, it is registered to our
Sensory adaptation brain that an ice is cold.
Does not perceive stimuli that remain This also refers to information processing
relatively constant over prolonged periods of time. that begins in higher brain centers and proceeds to

Perception receptors.

Noted by: Dionn Christian S. Pante

 Introduction To Psychology
Mr. Gian Ramos
Lesson III – Sensory and Perception

Thresholds Perceptual organization processes that

1. Absolute Threshold- the point at which a group smaller units of the perceptual world into
stimulus can be detected 50% of the time. larger units
Given a particular stimulus, the minimum Gestalt (German word for ‘whole’) The whole
stimulation needed for detection. experience is greater than the sum of the individual
Now, why do we use the term ‘absolute’ if we can parts
only take account of just 50% of the stimulus Gestalt principles of perceptual organization
registering though our brain. Gestalt psychologist believed that the world
Well, the most simple explanation is, say for is organized around best forms, some of which are
example I played a beep sound where the volume is defined geometrically.
really low. Example: A circle, square and other shapes
There will be times where you can hear this beep Signal Detection Theory
sound, but there will also be times that you cannot, This is a theory which suggests how
especially when you are not alert or distracted. It individuals are able to detect minimal stimulus
will all boil down into your state and the brain will (signal) amonf other background stimuli (noise).
dictate your psychological state at the moment. This may influence how individuals make a
2. Difference threshold- the minimal change in decision in a specific situation
stimulation that can be reliably detected Imagine working in the medical field, say
50% of the time. They are also called (jnd) for example in a busy hospital
or just noticeable difference A radiologist is examining a CT scan,
Messages that are presented below the threshold for looking for evidence of a tumor. Interpreting CT
conscious awareness are called subliminal message images is hard and it takes a lot of training. Because
Attentional Processes the task is so hard, there is always some uncertainty
Attention a process in which consciousness is as to what is there or not. Either there is a tumor
focused on paticulat stimuli (signal present) or there is not (signal absent).
1. Selective attention ability to focus on one Either the doctor sees a tumor (they respond ‘yes’)
stimulus while excluding other stimuli that or does not (they respond ‘no’)
are present
2. Divided attention ability to respond to more Another that affects sensation and perception:
than one stimulus Attention
Perceptual abilities

Noted by: Dionn Christian S. Pante

 Introduction To Psychology
Mr. Gian Ramos
Lesson III – Sensory and Perception

Attention plays a significant role in can change as a function of light levels as well as
determining what is sensed versus what is perceived
Imagine you are at a party full of music,
chatter, and laughter. You get involved in an
interesting conversation with a friend, and you ask
what song had just finished playing, you would
probably be unable to answer that question

Vision always begin when light enters the eyes

1. Human photoreceptors in the eye are
sensitive to wavelengths of light energy
called the visible spectrum
2. The visible spectrum ranges from red to emotional arousal.

violet Retina, the light-sensetive lining of the eye

Fovea, a small indentation in the back of the
eye Optic nerve carries visual information for the
retina to the brain
Optic Nerve carries visual information from
the retina to the brain
Sclera, mostly ‘white part’ of eye that
provides protection and structure
Iris the pigmented muscle that gives the eye
its color and regulates the size of the pupil. The
Anatomy of Vision muscle of the iris control the amount of light
entering the eye.
The cornea is the transparent covering over Eye Abnormalities
the eye. It serves as a barrier between the inner eye Myopia – (nearsightedness)
and the outside world, and it is involved in focusing - People with Myopic vision usually have
light waves that enter the eye. eyeballs that are too large for their lens and
The pupil is the small opening in the eye cornea to focus light properly on their retina.
through which light passes, and the size of the pupil Eyeglasses and contact lenses can usually
correct this problem
Noted by: Dionn Christian S. Pante
 Introduction To Psychology
Mr. Gian Ramos
Lesson III – Sensory and Perception

Hyperopia – (farsightedness) condition have mild to severe vision loss and are
- Hypercopia vision is caused by the eyeball very light sensitive.
being too small for the lens and cornea to
focus light properly on the retina.
Eyeglasses and contact lenses can usually
correct this problem. Strabismus
Presbyopia – (aging eyes)
- As people age, they often begin to have
difficulty focusing their eyes for reading or
close work. It is usually corrected with
reading glasses. Some people may need
bifocal of trifocal lenses.
Astigmatism – (distorted vision)
- People with Astigmatism have irregularly
shaped corneas. It is usually corrected with
In childhood it is often noticed within weeks
eyeglasses or contact lenses
of birth. Older children may complain of double
vision. It can be confirmed by asymmetrical light
Ocular Albinism
reflections from the eyes.
With this
Congenital ptosis

In ptosis, the upper eyelid of one or both

inheritedness birth defect, people have no pigment eyes ‘drops’. If the lid covers the pupil, it can
or reduced pigment. In their eyes, skin and hair. interfere with vision. A torticollis can develop if the
This pigment called melanin is needed for the full head is tilted to maintain binocular vision. Should a
development of the retina. Children with this ptosis develp gradually or without a family history,

Noted by: Dionn Christian S. Pante

 Introduction To Psychology
Mr. Gian Ramos
Lesson III – Sensory and Perception

a full examination and neurological check are hammer), incus (or anvil), and the stapes (or
required stirrup).
The inner ear contains the
1. Semi-circular canals, which are involved in
balance and movement (the vestibular
sense),
Audition 2. Cochlea, the cochlea is a fluid-filled, snail-
It begins with sound entering the ear shaped structure that contains the sensory
Sound is a mechanical energy typically 3. Receptor cells (hair cells) of the auditory
caused by vibrations. system
These vibrations produce movement of air Types Of Hearing Deficits
molecules or what we call “sound waves” Conductive deafness
Moving our heads help in detecting the This is when sound waves are unable to be
source of the sound. The more people are close to transferred from outer to inner ear; causes include
the source of the sound, it gets louder tumors, objects in ear canal, infections, otosclerosis
Anatomy Of The Auditory System (genetic; degeneration of the middle ear bones).
Other than treating the infection and swelling, metal
bones can serve as replacements
Sensorineural deafness
This is damage to the inner ear or auditory
nerve leading to the brain. Causes include
infections, genetic defects, exposure to loud noises,
trauma, high blood pressure, diabetes
The ear can be separated into multiple
Factors:
sections. The outer ear includes the
Age
1. Pinna, which is the visible part of the ear
Noise
that protrudes from our heads,
Genes
2. Auditory canal, and the tympanic
Lifestyle
membrane, or eardrum. T
Illness
The middle ear contains three tiny bones known as
Chemicals
the ossicles, which are named the malleus (or
Touch

Noted by: Dionn Christian S. Pante

 Introduction To Psychology
Mr. Gian Ramos
Lesson III – Sensory and Perception

although they are usually considered separately as

visceral sensations
Pain arising from the viscera is often felt as
though it comes from some part of the body surface
or underlying tissue (referred pain)
Somatic Impairments
Acne, Athletes foot, Birthmarks, Cysts, Dry skin,
Stretch mark, Varicose veins
Specific receptors in the skin convert Gustatory Sensation
stimulation to electrical nerve impulses, a process The tongue contains nearly two thousand
called transduction taste buds, although they are also located in small
Mechanoreceptors (below) respond to numbers in the soft palate and in the throat.
mechanical stimuli, such as stroking, stretching, or On the tongue taste buds are located on
vibration of the skin bumps of connective tissue called papillae.
Thermoreceptors respond to cold or hot Circumvallate or vallate papillae are the
temperatures largest of these, found on the posterior part of the
Chemoreceptors respond to certain types of tongue. Fungiform papillae are found on the tip
chemicals either applied externally or released and sides of the tongue, filiform on the majority of
within the skin the tongue
Somatic Sensation
Sensations arising from the skin such as
touch, pressure, cold, warmth, and pain, from the
muscles, tendons, and joints such as the position of
the limbs and pain, are known as somatic
sensations.
Soma, the Greek word for body, refers to
the whole of the body structure, apart from the germ
cells (eggs and sperm)
Sensations arising from the internal organs
(the viscera), such as pain or the sense of fullness of To be tasted, substances must be suspended
the stomach or bladder, may therefore be included, in saliva, and an interaction occurs which creates a
Noted by: Dionn Christian S. Pante
 Introduction To Psychology
Mr. Gian Ramos
Lesson III – Sensory and Perception

nerve impulse. There are four primary tastes: sour, Olfactory Impairment
salt, sweet, and bitter Anosmia 
Gustatory Impairment inability to smell
Leukoplakia Dysosmia 
This condition causes cells in the mouth to things smell different than they should
grow excessively. That, in turn, leads to the Hyposmia 
formation of white patches inside the mouth, decreased ability to smell
including on the tongue. Although not dangerous on Olfactory Reference Syndrome 
its own, leukoplakia can be a precursor to cancer. psychological disorder which causes the
So it is important for your dentist to determine the patient to imagine he has strong body odor
cause of white patches on your tongue. Leukoplakia
can develop when the tongue has been irritated, and Parosmia 
it is often found in people who use tobacco things smell worse than they should
products. Phantosmia 
Tongue movement disorders "hallucinated smell" often unpleasant in
Tongue movement problems are most often nature
caused by nerve damage. Tongue movement
disorders may result in: Breastfeeding problems in
newborns; Difficulty moving food during chewing
and swallowing; and Speech difficulties.
Hairy tongue
It is a harmless condition in which the
tongue looks hairy or furry. The disorder usually
goes away with antibiotics
Black Tongue
Sometimes the upper surface of the tongue
turns black or brown in color. This is an unsightly
condition but it is not harmful.
Smooth Tongue
Causes are Anemia and Vitamin
B12 deficiency.

Noted by: Dionn Christian S. Pante