Psychology - Psychology Sensation - Quick Guides

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Study GuidePsychology–Psychology: Sensation1. Hearing1.1Sound: The Stimulus for HearingSoundis the stimulus that allows us to hear. It is created bychanges in air pressurethat movethrough the air assound waves.Sound waves havethree main characteristics, and each one is linked to how we experience soundpsychologically:•AmplitudeThis refers to the height of the sound wave.→ Greater amplitude means the sound islouder.•FrequencyThis refers to how fast the sound waves move.→ Higher frequency produces ahigher pitch.•Purity (Timbre)This refers to the complexity of the sound wave.→ Purity determines thequality or toneof the sound, such as the difference between musicalinstruments playing the same note.1.2The Hearing SystemThe hearing system works in astep-by-step process. Sound waves are collected, converted intovibrations, and then changed intoneural signalsthat the brain can understand.

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Study GuideFigure 1: The Ear1.3Outer EarThe hearing process begins in theouter ear.•Thepinna(the visible part of the ear) collects sound waves•These waves are funneled into theauditory canal•The sound waves reach theeardrum•The eardrum separates the outer ear from the middle ear and begins tovibratewhen soundhits it1.4Middle EarThemiddle earcontains three tiny bones called theossicles:•Malleus (hammer)•Incus (anvil)•Stapes (stirrup)

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Study GuideThese bones:•amplify the vibrations from the eardrum•transmit the vibrations to theoval window, which separates the middle ear from the inner ear1.5Inner EarBeyond the oval window is theinner ear, which contains thecochlea.•The cochlea is asnail-shaped structure•Inside it runs thebasilar membrane•When the stapes vibrates against the oval window, it causes thefluid inside the cochlea tomove•This movement makes the basilar membrane vibrate1.6Hair Cells and Neural SignalsLocated on the basilar membrane arehair cells, which are thereceptors for hearing.•Hair cells convert vibrations intoneural impulses•These impulses travel along theauditory nerve•Signals first reach thelower brain stem•Then they move to theauditory part of the thalamus•Finally, they reach theauditory cortexin thetemporal lobe, where sound is consciouslyperceivedAn important point to note is thatinformation from each ear is sent to both sides of the brain,helping with sound localization and understanding speech.Key Points to Remember•Sound travels as pressure waves through air•Loudness, pitch, and timbre depend on amplitude, frequency, and purity•The ear has three main parts: outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear

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Study Guide•Hair cells convert vibrations into neural signals•The auditory cortex interprets soundQuick SummaryHearing begins when sound waves enter the ear and cause vibrations. These vibrations are amplified,converted into neural signals by hair cells, and sent to the brain, where they are interpreted asmeaningful sounds like speech or music.2.The Chemical Senses: Taste and SmellThe senses oftasteandsmellare calledchemical sensesbecause they work by detectingchemical substances. These senses help us enjoy food, recognize dangers (like spoiled food orsmoke), and even trigger memories and emotions.2.1Taste (Gustation)What Is the Stimulus for Taste?The stimulus for taste ischemical substances dissolved in water or other fluids. When thesechemicals come in contact with taste receptors, they produce taste sensations.2.2Basic Taste SensationsTaste is commonly described in terms offour basic sensations:•Sweet•Sour•Salty•BitterThese basic tastes can combine in different ways to create the wide variety of flavors we experience.

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Study Guide2.3Taste Receptors and the TongueTaste receptors are calledtaste buds. They are found mainly on thetongue, especially in andaround small bumps known aspapillae.Figure 1: Taste Receptors on the Tongue2.4Location of Taste Sensations on the TongueDifferent areas of the tongue are more sensitive to certain tastes:•Front of the tongue–sweet•Sides of the tongue–sour•Sides and front–salty•Back of the tongue–bitterThere are about10,000 taste budsin total.Eachpapillacontains several taste buds.

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Study Guide2.5Pathway of Taste Information•Taste information is carried byafferent nerves•Signals travel to thethalamus•From the thalamus, information is sent to specific areas of thecerebral cortex, where taste isconsciously perceived2.6Smell (Olfaction)What Is the Stimulus for Smell?The stimulus for smell isvolatile chemical substancessuspended in the air.2.7Olfactory Receptors and the Brain•Smell receptors, calledolfactory receptors, are located in theupper part of the nasalpassages•Airborne chemical molecules stimulate these receptors•Neurons from the receptors join together to form theolfactory nerve•The olfactory nerve carries signals to theolfactory bulbat the base of the brain2.8Understanding SmellThe exact way smell works isnot completely understood.For example, scientists are still studying:•how specific smells are identified•why certain odors, such as the smell of apple pie, cantrigger strong emotions orchildhood memoriesKey Points to Remember•Taste and smell are chemical senses•Taste depends on chemicals dissolved in fluids

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Study Guide•There are four basic taste sensations•Taste buds are located on papillae of the tongue•Smell depends on airborne chemical molecules•Olfactory signals go directly to the brain’s olfactory bulbQuick SummaryTaste and smell help us experience flavors and odors by detecting chemicals. Taste buds on thetongue respond to dissolved substances, while olfactory receptors in the nose respond to airbornemolecules. Together, these senses play a major role in eating,safety, and memory.3.The Cutaneous (Skin) Senses3.1What Are the Skin Senses?Theskinis an important sensory organ. It contains special receptors that allow us to feel:•touch•pressure•temperature•painAlthough scientists understand many of these receptors, the exact relationship between each receptorand specific skin sensations isnot yet fully understood.3.2Types of Skin ReceptorsDifferent receptors in the skin respond to different kinds of stimulation:•Meissner’s corpusclesSensitive tolight touch•Pacinian corpusclesSensitive todeep pressure

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