N e u r o p s y c h o l o g y:
Sensory Systems and Perception
WEEK 9
Chapter 4: pg 154-190
4.1 Psychophysics: Basic Concepts and issues:
Psychophysics = how physical stimulus within environment converted
into perceptions and psychological experiences.
- Gustav Fachner & Wilhelm Wundt contributed to the field.
Stimulus:
- Bodies process via sensory organs: mouth, ears, eyes, skin & nose.
- Stimuli aka → sensory input.
- Sensory systems organise & interpret sensory input so we can
attach meaning and develop a response to this input through two
separate but interacting stages of sensation & perception.
1
, Sensation = physiological process taking in raw physical energy from stimuli
via sensory receptors of our sensory organs. Sensory input sent to the brain.
Transduction = sub-process occurring during sensation. Defined as
conversion of raw physical energy into sensory neurological signals. Signals
travel to different regions of the brain via neural pathways. Process of
sensation allows to experience stimuli.
Perception = psychological process whereby swensory neurological signals
that reach the brain are selected, organised & interpreted so that we can
make sense of & attach meaning to sensations.
NB → understand the association between sensation and perception } each
process influences the other ito impairment/effect.
Ex: Agnosia = a disorder resulting in breakdown between sensation and
perception, characterised by inability to identify from and/or function of
people/objects using certain senses.
Process of sensation occurs: looking at a picture → eyes receive light
stimulus → enabling perception of picture → attach meaning to image →
identifying it as a circle/ball.
Agnosia = different types
Ex: a person with visual agnosia may sense stimuli (sensation) although
impairment within perception process can interfere w/ perceiving and
recognising object as circle/ball.
- Agnosia can occur in any sensory domain; ex: inability to recognise
object through touch = tactile agnosia.
Perception of stimuli in different ways due to 3 factors:
1. Functionality of our individual sensory systems
2. Different types of stimuli occurring in our individual environments.
3. Unique contexts and experiences → explains why people perceive and
tolerate light, sound, taste, smell & touch differently.
2
Sensory Systems and Perception
WEEK 9
Chapter 4: pg 154-190
4.1 Psychophysics: Basic Concepts and issues:
Psychophysics = how physical stimulus within environment converted
into perceptions and psychological experiences.
- Gustav Fachner & Wilhelm Wundt contributed to the field.
Stimulus:
- Bodies process via sensory organs: mouth, ears, eyes, skin & nose.
- Stimuli aka → sensory input.
- Sensory systems organise & interpret sensory input so we can
attach meaning and develop a response to this input through two
separate but interacting stages of sensation & perception.
1
, Sensation = physiological process taking in raw physical energy from stimuli
via sensory receptors of our sensory organs. Sensory input sent to the brain.
Transduction = sub-process occurring during sensation. Defined as
conversion of raw physical energy into sensory neurological signals. Signals
travel to different regions of the brain via neural pathways. Process of
sensation allows to experience stimuli.
Perception = psychological process whereby swensory neurological signals
that reach the brain are selected, organised & interpreted so that we can
make sense of & attach meaning to sensations.
NB → understand the association between sensation and perception } each
process influences the other ito impairment/effect.
Ex: Agnosia = a disorder resulting in breakdown between sensation and
perception, characterised by inability to identify from and/or function of
people/objects using certain senses.
Process of sensation occurs: looking at a picture → eyes receive light
stimulus → enabling perception of picture → attach meaning to image →
identifying it as a circle/ball.
Agnosia = different types
Ex: a person with visual agnosia may sense stimuli (sensation) although
impairment within perception process can interfere w/ perceiving and
recognising object as circle/ball.
- Agnosia can occur in any sensory domain; ex: inability to recognise
object through touch = tactile agnosia.
Perception of stimuli in different ways due to 3 factors:
1. Functionality of our individual sensory systems
2. Different types of stimuli occurring in our individual environments.
3. Unique contexts and experiences → explains why people perceive and
tolerate light, sound, taste, smell & touch differently.
2
