Physiological basis of sensations and perceptions

As you know, the realization of personal potential is carried out in the process of life. It, in turn, is possible due to a person's knowledge of the surrounding conditions. Ensuring the interaction of the individual with the outside world is determined by personality traits, attitudes and motives. Meanwhile, any psychic phenomenon is a reflection of reality and is a link in the regulatory system. The determining element in the functioning of the latter is sensation. The concept, the physiological basis of feelings, in turn, is associated with thinking and logical cognition. An essential role is played by words and the language as a whole, which implement the generalization function.

Inverse relationship

The physiological basis of sensation, in short, is the basis on which the human sensory experience is formed. His data, representations of memory determine logical thinking. Everything that makes up the physiological basis of sensations acts as a connecting link between a person and the world around him. Feelings allow you to know the world. Let us further consider how the physiological basis of sensations in psychology is characterized (briefly ).

Sensory organization

It represents the level of development of certain sensitivity systems, the possibility of combining them. Sensory structures are called sensory organs. They act as the physiological basis of sensations and perceptions . Sensory structures can be called receivers. Sensations come into them and are transformed into perception. Any receiver has a certain sensitivity. If we turn to the representatives of the fauna, it can be noted that their physiological basis for sensations is the activity of a certain type of sensors. This, in turn, acts as a generic sign of animals. For example, bats are sensitive to short ultrasonic pulses, dogs have a great scent. If you touch on the physiological basis of human sensations and perceptions , it should be said that the sensory system exists from the first days of life. However, its development will depend on the efforts and desires of the individual.

The concept of sensation: the physiological basis of the concept (briefly)

Before considering the mechanism of functioning of the elements of the sensory system, one should determine the terminology. Sensation is called the manifestation of a general biological property - sensitivity. It is inherent in living matter. Through sensations, a person interacts with the external and his inner world. Due to them, information about the occurring phenomena enters the brain. Everything that is the physiological basis of sensations allows you to receive various information objects. For example, about their taste, color, smell, movement, sound. Sensors transmit information about the state of internal organs to the brain. From the arising sensations, a picture of perception is formed. The physiological basis of the sensation process allows primary data processing. They, in turn, act as the basis for more complex operations, for example, processes such as thinking, memory, perception, representation.

Data processing

It is carried out by the brain. The result of data processing is the development of a response or strategy. It can be directed, for example, to increase tone, a greater concentration of attention on the current operation, and tuning to accelerate inclusion in the cognitive process. The number of available options, as well as the quality of the choice of a particular reaction depends on various factors. In particular, individual characteristics of an individual, strategies for interacting with others, the level of organization and development of higher nervous functions, and so on, will be of importance.

Analyzers

The physiological basis of sensations is formed due to the functioning of special nervous apparatuses. They include three components. The analyzer distinguishes between:

1. Receptor. He acts as a perceiving link. The receptor converts external energy into neural surgery.
2. Central department. It is represented by afferent or sensitive nerves.
3. Cortical departments. In them, nerve impulses are processed.

Certain sections of the cortical regions correspond to specific receptors. Each sense organ has its own specialization. It depends not only on the structural features of the receptors. Equally important is the specialization of neurons, which are included in the central apparatus. They receive signals passing through the peripheral senses. It should be noted that the analyzer is not a passive receiver of sensations. He has the ability to reflex rebuild under the influence of stimuli.

Information Properties

The physiological basis of sensations allows us to describe the data coming through the sensors. Any information may be characterized by its inherent properties. The key ones include duration, intensity, spatial localization, quality. For example, the latter is a specific feature of a particular sensation in which it differs from the rest. Quality varies within a certain modality. So, in the visual spectrum distinguish such properties as brightness, color tone, saturation. Auditory sensations have qualities such as pitch, timbre, volume. With tactile contact, the brain receives information about the hardness, roughness of the subject and so on.

Differentiation Features

What can be the physiological basis of sensations? Classification of sensations can be carried out on various grounds. The simplest is the differentiation according to the modality of the stimulus. Accordingly, on this basis, the physiological basis of sensations can be distinguished. Modality is a quality characteristic. It reflects the specificity of sensations as the simplest mental signals. Differentiation is carried out depending on the location of the receptors. On this basis, three groups of sensations are distinguished. The first includes those that are associated with surface receptors: skin, olfactory, taste, auditory, visual. The sensations that arise in them are called exteroreceptive. The second group includes those associated with sensors located in the internal organs. These sensations are called interoreceptive. The third group includes those that are associated with receptors located on the muscles, in the tendons and ligaments. These are motor and static sensations - proprioreceptive. Differentiation is also carried out according to the modality of the sensor. On this basis, sensations of contact (taste, tactile) and distant (auditory, visual) are distinguished.

Types

The physiological basis of sensations is the complex elements of a single sensory system. These links allow you to recognize different properties of one object at a time. This is due to the fact that the physiological basis of sensations react to certain stimuli. Each receptor has its own agent. In accordance with this, such types of sensations are distinguished as:

1. Visual. They arise under the influence of light rays on the retina.
2. Auditory. These sensations are caused by speech, music or noise waves.
3. Vibrating. Such sensations arise due to the ability to pick up fluctuations in the environment. Such sensitivity is poorly developed in humans.
4. Olfactory. They allow you to capture odors.
5. Tactile.
6. Dermal.
7. Flavoring.
8. Painful.
9. Temperature.

The emotional coloring of pain is especially strong. They are visible and audible to others. Temperature sensitivity varies in different parts of the body. In some cases, a person may have pseudo-sensations. They are expressed in the form of hallucinations and appear in the absence of an irritant.

Vision

The eye acts as a perceiving apparatus. This sense organ has a rather complex structure. Waves of light are reflected from objects, are refracted when passing through the lens, and are fixed on the retina. The eye is considered a distant receptor, because it gives an idea of ​​objects located at a distance from a person. The reflection of the space is provided due to the paired analyzer, resizing images on the retina when approaching / moving away from / to the object, the ability to reduce and separate the eyes. In the retina there are several tens of thousands of nerve endings. Under the influence of a wave of light, they become irritated. Nerve endings are distinguished by function and form.

Hearing

Sensitive endings that allow you to perceive sound are located in the inner ear, the cochlea with a membrane and hairs. An external organ collects vibrations. The middle ear directs them to the cochlea. Sensitive endings of the latter are irritated due to resonance - nerves of different thickness and length are set in motion when a certain amount of oscillations per second arrives. The received signals are sent to the brain. Sound has the following properties: strength, timbre, pitch, duration, and tempo-rhythmic pattern. Phonemic is a hearing that allows you to distinguish between speech. It depends on the environment and is formed throughout life. With a good knowledge of a foreign language, a new phonemic hearing system is being developed. It affects the literacy of the letter. Musical hearing develops similarly to speech . Rustles and noises are less important for a person if they do not interfere with his activities. They can cause pleasant emotions. For example, many people like the sound of rain, the rustle of leaves. At the same time, such sounds can signal a danger. For example, a hiss of gas.

Vibration sensitivity

It is considered a type of auditory sensation. Vibration sensitivity reflects fluctuations in the environment. Figuratively, it is called contact hearing. A person does not have special vibrational receptors. Scientists believe that such sensitivity is the oldest on the planet. At the same time, all tissues in the body can reflect fluctuations in the external and internal environment. Vibrational sensitivity in human life is subject to visual and auditory. Its practical importance increases in those areas of activity where fluctuations act as signals of malfunctions or dangers. Deaf-deaf and deaf people have increased vibration sensitivity. It compensates for the absence of other sensations.

Sense of smell

It refers to distant sensations. As irritants that cause olfactory sensitivity, elements of substances penetrating the nasal cavity act. They dissolve in liquids and affect the receptor. In many animals, the sense of smell is the main sensation. They are guided by smell when they seek food or escape from danger. Human sense of smell has little to do with terrain orientation. This is due to the presence of hearing and vision. The instability and underdevelopment of olfactory sensitivity is also indicated by the absence in the vocabulary of words that accurately indicate sensations and, at the same time, are not related to the subject itself. For example, they say "the smell of lilies of the valley." Smell is associated with taste. It helps to recognize the quality of food. In some cases, the sense of smell makes it possible to distinguish substances by chemical composition.

Taste

It refers to contact sensations. Taste sensitivity is caused by irritation of receptors located on the tongue with the subject. They allow you to identify acidic, salty, sweet, bitter foods. The combination of these qualities forms the totality of taste sensations. Primary data processing is carried out in the papillae. Each of them has 50-150 receptor cells. They wear out quickly enough when in contact with food, but have a recovery function. Sensory signals are sent to the taste cortex through the hindbrain and thalamus. Like olfactory, these sensations increase appetite. Receptors, evaluating the quality of food, perform a protective function, which is very important for survival.

Leather

It has several independent sensory structures:

1. Tactile.
2. Painful.
3. Temperature.

Skin sensitivity refers to a group of contact sensations. The maximum number of sensory cells is on the palms, lips, and fingertips. Information is transmitted from the receptors to the spinal cord due to their contact with motor neurons. This ensures the implementation of reflex actions. For example, a person pulls his hand from the hot. Temperature sensitivity provides regulation of heat transfer between the external environment and the body. It is worth saying that the distribution of cold and thermal sensors is uneven. The back is more sensitive to lower temperature, the chest is less sensitive. Pain sensation occurs due to strong pressure on the surface of the body. Nerve endings are located deeper than tactile receptors. The latter, in turn, allow you to form an idea of ​​the qualities of the subject.

Kinesthetic sensitivity

It includes sensations of movement and static of individual elements of the body. Receptors are located in the tendons and muscles. Irritation is caused by contraction and stretching of the muscles. Many motor sensors are located on the lips, tongue, and fingers. This is due to the need for these parts of the body to make subtle and precise movements. The operation of the analyzer provides control and coordination of movement. The formation of speech kinesthesia occurs in infancy and preschool age.

Vestibular sensitivity

Static or gravitational sensations allow a person to understand his position in space. Corresponding receptors are located in the vestibular apparatus in the inner ear. The bags and channels convert signals about relative displacement and gravity, passing them then to the cerebellum, as well as to the cortex in the temporal region. A sharp and frequent change in body position relative to the surface of the earth can lead to dizziness.

Conclusion

The physiological basis of sensations in psychology is of particular practical importance. Her research allows us to determine the paths of signal penetration from the outside, distribute them among the receptors, and track the course of the primary processing of information. The physiological basis of sensations in psychology is the key to understanding the properties of the human sensory system. The analysis allows you to identify the causes of certain deviations in sensitivity, to assess the degree of influence of various stimuli on receptors. The information obtained is used in a variety of scientific and industrial fields. The research results have a special role in medicine. Studying the properties of receptors and stimuli allows you to create new drugs, to develop more effective tactics for treating mental and other diseases.