Man has an amazing ability not only to see this world, but also to feel it. Perceiving the surrounding space with sensory systems, he studies and cognizes it while scientists study human feelings, unlimited and intangible. However, the ministers of science found an explanation for the sensations, laid out everything on the shelves, identified the properties and types, and also found out some patterns.
What is sensation?
First, consider what sensation means to a person. This is primarily a psychophysical process of reflection of the direct action of objects and phenomena of the material world on the senses. It is with their help that a person learns the world around him. This is how we can give a concept to sensations, the laws of which reveal to us how, with the help of analyzers, a person cognizes and establishes a connection with the environment.
The analyzer is an anatomical and physiological apparatus that takes the influence of any stimuli from the outside world and converts them into sensations. It consists of the following parts:
- The peripheral division is receptors.
- Sensitive nerve pathways.
- Central nervous system.
Next, we consider the types and properties of sensations.
Types of sensations
Depending on where the receptors are located, the following types of sensations exist:
- Interoceptive. They are located inside the body in tissues and organs and respond to changes that occur in them.
- Exteroceptive. Receptors are located on the surface of the body and respond to external influences.
- Proprioceptive. Receptors are found in muscles and ligaments.
Organic sensations correlate with objects of the outside world. They are a source of volitional impulses, give rise to desires and are divided into types:
- Olfactory. Smelling receptors are excited by gaseous substances.
- Visual. The visual receptors are involved.
- Flavoring. Taste buds are aroused by food chemicals.
- Auditory. The receptors of the auditory analyzer are involved.
- Tactile. Tactile receptors are excited by tactile irritation.
Sensation Properties
Properties that are inherent in sensations:
- Quality. It is determined by the qualities of the object that causes sensations. This is one of the characteristics of perception.
- Intensity. Depends on the strength of the stimulus and the sensitivity of the receptors. The quality and intensity of sensations are closely related.
- Duration Depends on the strength and intensity of exposure, the state of the receptors and duration.
- Localization. Any sensations have particles of the spatial arrangement of the stimulator.
Having examined the types and properties of sensations, we turn to patterns. What is the interconnection of analyzers that determines the development of processes in the cognition and sensation of the world?
Patterns of sensations
Sensations arise only at the moment of changes that occur in the receptors under the influence of the movements of the surrounding world, or of the senses themselves.
There are several patterns of sensations:
- Thresholds of sensitivity.
- Device.
- Interaction.
- Sensitization.
- Contrast.
- Synesthesia.
And now let’s dwell on each of them.
Sensitivity
The threshold of sensitivity is the relationship between the intensity of sensations and the strength of the irritating factor. Not every irritant can cause sensations, so they are divided into several types.
Thresholds of sensations:
- Lower absolute. It characterizes how sensitive the analyzer is. These are subtle sensations that are caused by the least force of the stimulus.
- Upper Absolute. The lower the sensitivity threshold, the higher the sensitivity. The upper absolute threshold is the strength of the stimulus, at which sensations still persist.
- Discrimination sensitivity threshold. This is a minimal increase in the strength of the stimulus, at which subtle differences become visible. For example, increase or decrease sound.
Depending on what task a person faces, he uses certain thresholds of sensations. A physical stimulus may be above or below the sensation threshold.
Device
The device represents a change in sensitivity during exposure to a single stimulus. In this case, the sensitivity thresholds will change. Patterns of sensation cannot exist without this property.
So, for example, we adapt by gradually entering cold water. Or soar your feet, getting used to the increase in water temperature.
A high degree of adaptation in olfactory and tactile receptors. Lower at auditory analyzer receptors.
Adaptation to different flavors occurs in everyone at a different speed. Adaptation to pain may be fatal for the body, but to a small extent it is characteristic of the body.
For adaptation to light and dark, the receptors of the visual analyzer are responsible. Light adaptation does not require high sensitivity, which can not be said about the adaptation.
For adaptation, the ratios of the processes of excitation and inhibition in the cerebral cortex are important, where the main centers of all analyzers are located. A phenomenon such as sequential mutual induction is observed. It is worth noting that adaptation occurs by a conditioned reflex path.
Contrast sensation and synesthesia
If sensations, their intensity and quality change under the influence of a preliminary or concomitant stimulus, then this can be called a contrast of sensations.
After a cold drink, warm seems to us hot. And after sour, barely sweet is very sweet. Likewise, on a black background, light seems lighter, and on white it is darker.
This is because a sharp cessation of the influence of the irritating factor does not cause a momentary cessation of the processes of irritation in the receptors. If we recall the law of induction, then the process of inhibition in excited neurons occurs over time, gradually. In order to restore the initial threshold of sensitivity, several phases of the excitation and inhibition of the induction shift must pass.
Synesthesia is when, as a result of the influence of one stimulus, sensations characteristic of another arise. So, hearing one sound, we present a certain image. Artists create paintings by translating music into colors. But not all people have such abilities. Synaesthesia shows us that all the analyzer systems of the human body are interconnected.
The properties and patterns of sensations emphasize the dependence and significance of analyzer systems on their functioning under the influence of stimuli.
Sensory Interaction and Sensitization
Sensitivity tends to change. So, a change in the sensitivity of some receptors under the influence of others is called the interaction of sensations.
Weak sound stimuli increase the sensitivity of the visual receptors. And with a strong effect on the receptors of the auditory analyzer, the sensitivity of the eyes decreases. Weak taste stimuli increase visual susceptibility. The latter is enhanced by the influence of certain aromas, that is, snuff. It is also known that with pain stimuli the sensitivity of auditory, tactile, olfactory and visual receptors increases.
The sensitization process is an increase in sensitivity through regular exercises, as well as through the interaction of analyzers.
It is known that with loss of hearing or vision, sensitivity is compensated by exacerbation of other types of sensitivity.
Sensitization is possible in certain professions. You can train sensitivity.
So, there are two ways of sensitization:
- Compensation of sensory defects.
- Requirements as a result of a specific type of activity.
It also includes independent work on improving the sensations.
The pattern of sensations creates the necessary conditions for a full perception of the world.