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Psychology - Psychology Sensation

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    Study Guide Psychology – Psychology: Sensation 1. Hearing 1.1 Sound: The Stimulus for Hearing Sound is the stimulus that allows us to hear. It is created by changes in air pressure that move through the air as sound waves . Sound waves have three main characteristics , and each one is linked to how we experience sound psychologically: • Amplitude This refers to the height of the sound wave. → Greater amplitude means the sound is louder . • Frequency This refers to how fast the sound waves move. → Higher frequency produces a higher pitch . • Purity (Timbre) This refers to the complexity of the sound wave. → Purity determines the quality or tone of the sound, such as the difference between musical instruments playing the same note. 1.2 The Hearing System The hearing system works in a step - by - step process . Sound waves are collected, converted into vibrations, and then changed into neural signals that the brain can understand.

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    Study Guide Figure 1: The Ear 1.3 Outer Ear The hearing process begins in the outer ear . • The pinna (the visible part of the ear) collects sound waves • These waves are funneled into the auditory canal • The sound waves reach the eardrum • The eardrum separates the outer ear from the middle ear and begins to vibrate when sound hits it 1.4 Middle Ear The middle ear contains three tiny bones called the ossicles : • Malleus (hammer) • Incus (anvil) • Stapes (stirrup)

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    Study Guide These bones: • amplify the vibrations from the eardrum • transmit the vibrations to the oval window , which separates the middle ear from the inner ear 1.5 Inner Ear Beyond the oval window is the inner ear , which contains the cochlea . • The cochlea is a snail - shaped structure • Inside it runs the basilar membrane • When the stapes vibrates against the oval window, it causes the fluid inside the cochlea to move • This movement makes the basilar membrane vibrate 1.6 Hair Cells and Neural Signals Located on the basilar membrane are hair cells , which are the receptors for hearing . • Hair cells convert vibrations into neural impulses • These impulses travel along the auditory nerve • Signals first reach the lower brain stem • Then they move to the auditory part of the thalamus • Finally, they reach the auditory cortex in the temporal lobe , where sound is consciously perceived An important point to note is that information 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 sound Quick Summary Hearing 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 as meaningful sounds like speech or music. 2. The Chemical Senses: Taste and Smell The senses of taste and smell are called chemical senses because they work by detecting chemical substances . These senses help us enjoy food, recognize dangers (like spoiled food or smoke), and even trigger memories and emotions. 2.1 Taste (Gustation) What Is the Stimulus for Taste? The stimulus for taste is chemical substances dissolved in water or other fluids . When these chemicals come in contact with taste receptors, they produce taste sensations. 2.2 Basic Taste Sensations Taste is commonly described in terms of four basic sensations : • Sweet • Sour • Salty • Bitter These basic tastes can combine in different ways to create the wide variety of flavors we experience.

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    Study Guide 2.3 Taste Receptors and the Tongue Taste receptors are called taste buds . They are found mainly on the tongue , especially in and around small bumps known as papillae . Figure 1: Taste Receptors on the Tongue 2.4 Location of Taste Sensations on the Tongue Different 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 – bitter There are about 10,000 taste buds in total. Each papilla contains several taste buds.

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    Study Guide 2.5 Pathway of Taste Information • Taste information is carried by afferent nerves • Signals travel to the thalamus • From the thalamus, information is sent to specific areas of the cerebral cortex , where taste is consciously perceived 2.6 Smell (Olfaction) What Is the Stimulus for Smell? The stimulus for smell is volatile chemical substances suspended in the air. 2.7 Olfactory Receptors and the Brain • Smell receptors, called olfactory receptors , are located in the upper part of the nasal passages • Airborne chemical molecules stimulate these receptors • Neurons from the receptors join together to form the olfactory nerve • The olfactory nerve carries signals to the olfactory bulb at the base of the brain 2.8 Understanding Smell The exact way smell works is not completely understood . For example, scientists are still studying: • how specific smells are identified • why certain odors, such as the smell of apple pie, can trigger strong emotions or childhood memories Key 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 bulb Quick Summary Taste and smell help us experience flavors and odors by detecting chemicals. Taste buds on the tongue respond to dissolved substances, while olfactory receptors in the nose respond to airborne molecules. Together, these senses play a major role in eating, safety, and memory. 3. The Cutaneous (Skin) Senses 3.1 What Are the Skin Senses? The skin is an important sensory organ. It contains special receptors that allow us to feel: • touch • pressure • temperature • pain Although scientists understand many of these receptors, the exact relationship between each receptor and specific skin sensations is not yet fully understood . 3.2 Types of Skin Receptors Different receptors in the skin respond to different kinds of stimulation: • Meissner’s corpuscles Sensitive to light touch • Pacinian corpuscles Sensitive to deep pressure

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