As you know, the realization of personal potential is carried out in the process of life. It, in turn, is possible due to the person's knowledge of the surrounding conditions. Ensuring the interaction of the individual with the outside world is determined by the properties of the personality, attitudes and motives. Meanwhile, any mental phenomenon is a reflection of reality and is a link in the regulation 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 knowledge. In this case, words and language as a whole play a significant role, which implement the function of generalization.
Inverse relationship
The physiological foundations of sensation, in short, are the basis on which the sensory experience of a person is formed. His data, memory representations determine logical thinking. Everything that makes up the physiological basis of sensations acts as a link between a person and the outside world. Feelings allow you to know the world. Let us consider further how the physiological basis of sensations is characterizedin psychology (briefly).
Sensory organization
It represents the level of development of certain systems of sensitivity, the possibility of their combination. Sensory structures are called sense organs. They act as the physiological basis of sensations and perceptions. Sensory structures can be called receivers. Sensations enter them and are transformed into perceptions. Any receiver has a certain sensitivity. If we turn to representatives of the fauna, it can be noted that the physiological basis of their 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 an excellent sense of smell. If we touch on the physiological foundations of human sensations and perception, then it should be said that the sensory system has existed since 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 decide on the terminology. Sensation is a 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 ongoing phenomena enters the brain. Everything that is the physiological basis of sensations makes it possible to obtain various information about objects. For example, about their taste, color, smell, movement, sound. Sensors are transmitted to the brain andinformation about the state of internal organs. From the sensations that arise, a picture of perception is formed. The physiological basis of the sensation process allows for the primary processing of data. They, in turn, act as a base for more complex operations, for example, processes such as thinking, memory, perception, representation.
Information processing
It is carried out by the brain. The result of data processing is the development of a response or strategy. It can be aimed, for example, at increasing the tone, greater concentration of attention on the current operation, setting for accelerated 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. The value, in particular, will have the individual characteristics of the individual, strategies for interacting with others, the level of organization and development of higher nervous functions, and so on.
Analyzers
The physiological basis of sensations is formed due to the functioning of special nervous apparatus. They include three components. The analyzer distinguishes between:
- Receptor. It acts as a receiver. The receptor converts external energy into nerve operation.
- Central department. It is represented by afferent or sensory nerves.
- Cortical departments. In them, nerve impulses are processed.
Specific receptors correspond to certain parts of the cortical regions. Each sense organ hasyour 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. It 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 can 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, such properties as brightness, color tone, saturation are distinguished. Auditory sensations have such qualities as pitch, timbre, loudness. With tactile contact, the brain receives information about the hardness, roughness of the object, and so on.
Features of differentiation
What could be the physiological basis of sensations? Classification of sensations can be carried out according to different criteria. The simplest is differentiation according to the modality of the stimulus. Accordingly, on this basis, the physiological basis of sensations can be distinguished. Modality is a qualitative characteristic. It reflectsspecificity 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 associated with surface receptors: skin, olfactory, taste, auditory, visual. The sensations that arise in them are called exteroceptive. 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, tendons and ligaments. These are motor and static sensations - proprioceptive. Differentiation is also carried out according to the modality of the sensor. On this basis, contact (gustatory, tactile) and distant (auditory, visual) sensations are distinguished.
Types
Physiological bases of sensations are complex elements of a single sensory system. These links allow you to recognize different properties of one object at the same time. This is due to the fact that the physiological basis of sensations reacts to certain stimuli. Each receptor has its own agent. In accordance with this, there are such types of sensations as:
- Visual. They occur under the influence of light rays on the retina.
- Auditory. These sensations are caused by speech, music or noise waves.
- Vibrating. Such sensations arise due to the ability to capture the vibrations of the environment. This sensitivity is underdeveloped inhuman.
- Olfactory. They allow you to capture odors.
- Tactile.
- Dermal.
- Flavourful.
- Painful.
- 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 experience pseudo-sensations. They are expressed in the form of hallucinations and appear in the absence of a stimulus.
Vision
The eye acts as a perceiving apparatus. This sense organ has a rather complex structure. Waves of light are reflected from objects, refracted as they pass through the lens, and are fixed on the retina. The eye is considered a distant receptor, since it gives an idea of objects that are at a distance from a person. Reflection of space is provided due to the parity of the analyzer, changing the size of the image on the retina when approaching / moving away from / from the object, the ability to converge and dilute the eyes. The retina contains several tens of thousands of nerve endings. Under the influence of a wave of light, they are irritated. Nerve endings are distinguished by function and form.
Rumor
Sensitive endings that allow you to perceive sound are located in the inner ear, the cochlea with a membrane and hairs. The external organ collects vibrations. The middle ear directs them to the cochlea. The sensitive endings of the latter are irritated due to resonance - different in thickness and lengthnerves start to move when a certain number of vibrations per second is received. The received signals are sent to the brain. Sound has the following properties: strength, timbre, pitch, duration and tempo-rhythmic pattern. Phonemic is called hearing, which allows you to distinguish between speech. It depends on the environment and is formed during life. With a good knowledge of a foreign language, a new system of phonemic hearing is developed. It has an impact on writing skills. Musical ear develops similarly to speech. Less important for a person are rustles and noises, if they do not interfere with his activities. They can also evoke pleasant emotions. For example, many people like the sound of rain, the rustle of leaves. At the same time, such sounds can also signal danger. For example, gas hiss.
Vibration sensitivity
It is considered a type of auditory sensation. Vibration sensitivity reflects fluctuations in the environment. It is figuratively called contact hearing. Humans do 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 danger. Deaf-blind and deaf people have increased vibration sensitivity. It compensates for the lack of other sensations.
Smell
It refers to distant sensations. Elements of substances penetrating into the nasal cavity act as irritants that cause olfactory sensitivity. They dissolve in liquid and act on the receptor. In many animals, smell is the primary sense. They navigate by smell when looking for food or escaping from danger. The human sense of smell has little to do with orienteering. This is due to the presence of hearing and vision. The lack of stability and underdevelopment of olfactory sensitivity is also indicated by the absence in the vocabulary of words that accurately denote sensations and are not related to the subject itself. For example, they say "the smell of lilies of the valley." The sense of smell is related to taste. It helps to recognize the quality of food. In some cases, the sense of smell allows you to distinguish substances by chemical composition.
Taste
It refers to contact sensations. Taste sensitivity is caused by irritation of the receptors located on the tongue with the object. They allow you to identify sour, s alty, sweet, bitter foods. The combination of these qualities forms a set of taste sensations. Primary data processing is carried out in papillae. Each of them has 50-150 receptor cells. They wear out fairly quickly when in contact with food, but have a recovery function. Sensory signals are sent to the gustatory cortex via the hindbrain and thalamus. Like olfactory sensations, these sensations increase appetite. Receptors, assessing the quality of food, perform a protective function, whichvery important for survival.
Leather
It contains several independent sensory structures:
- Tactile.
- Painful.
- Temperature.
Skin sensitivity belongs to the group of contact sensations. The maximum number of sensory cells is found on the palms, lips and fingertips. Information is transmitted from 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 away from the hot. Temperature sensitivity ensures the regulation of heat exchange 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 low temperature, the chest is less. Pain 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 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 perform subtle and precise movements. The work of the analyzer provides control and coordination of movement. The formation of speech kinesthesia occurs in infancy and preschool age.
Vestibular sensitivity
Static or gravity sensations allow a person to understand their position in space. The corresponding receptors are located in the vestibular apparatus in the inner ear. The sacs and canals convert signals about relative movement and gravity, then transmitting them to the cerebellum, as well as to the cortex in the temporal region. Sudden and frequent changes in body position relative to the ground can lead to dizziness.
Conclusion
The physiological basis of sensations in psychology is of particular practical importance. Its study makes it possible to determine the pathways for the penetration of signals from the outside, to distribute them among receptors, and to trace the course of primary information processing. 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 impact of certain stimuli on receptors. The obtained information is used in various scientific and industrial fields. Research results play a special role in medicine. Studying the properties of receptors and stimuli allows you to create new drugs, develop more effective tactics for the treatment of mental and other diseases.
