The difference between sensation and perception

Full Answer Section

            Analogy: Sensation is like the camera lens and sensor detecting light and capturing an image. Perception is the brain's software interpreting that image and identifying it as a "tree" or a "human face."

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2. What is a synapse?

  A synapse is the specialized junction or gap between two neurons where information is transmitted from one neuron to another. It is the fundamental site of communication within the nervous system. When an electrical signal (action potential) reaches the end of the first neuron (the presynaptic terminal), it triggers the release of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters cross the tiny gap, known as the synaptic cleft, and bind to specific receptor sites on the second neuron (the postsynaptic neuron). This binding can either excite or inhibit the postsynaptic neuron, thereby continuing or stopping the neural signal.

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3. Explain different parts of the brain and their functions

  The human brain is a complex organ with specialized regions that work together to control our thoughts, behaviors, and bodily functions.

• The Cerebrum: The largest part of the brain, responsible for higher functions like thought, language, and voluntary action. It is divided into two hemispheres and four main lobes:
  • Frontal Lobe: Located at the front of the brain, it is the center for executive functions, including planning, problem-solving, decision-making, and impulse control. It also contains the motor cortex, which controls voluntary movements.
  • Parietal Lobe: Situated behind the frontal lobe, it processes sensory information from the body, such as touch, temperature, and pain. It is also involved in spatial awareness and navigation.
  • Temporal Lobe: Located below the parietal and frontal lobes, it is the main center for hearing and is crucial for memory formation, emotion, and language comprehension (Wernicke's area).
  • Occipital Lobe: At the very back of the brain, its primary function is to process visual information from the eyes.
• The Cerebellum: Often called the "little brain," it is located at the back of the brainstem. Its main function is to coordinate voluntary movements, posture, balance, and speech.
• The Brainstem: This is the most primitive part of the brain, connecting the cerebrum to the spinal cord. It controls vital, involuntary functions necessary for survival, such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

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4. Define Perceptual Constancy

  Perceptual constancy is the tendency to perceive objects as having stable properties (such as size, shape, color, and brightness) despite changes in the sensory information that our eyes receive. This allows us to perceive a stable and consistent world.

Sample Answer

         

What is the difference between sensation and perception?

  Sensation is the process by which our sensory organs and nervous system receive and detect physical energy from the environment. It is the raw data collection—a bottom-up process where a stimulus, such as light waves, sound vibrations, or chemical molecules, is converted into a neural signal. It is a biological and physical process. Perception, on the other hand, is the process by which the brain organizes, interprets, and gives meaning to the sensory information. It is the top-down process of constructing an understanding of the world based on our past experiences, expectations, and the raw sensory data.