Conducted Experiments of the Sensory Systems

Angel Rose Munoz

American Intercontinental University

Conducted Experiments of the Sensory Systems

SSCI206-1302A-12: Aspects of Psychology

May 12, 2013

Abstract

The information provided within this physiological report is based on several factually completed experiments which have been conducted in order to express, understand and represent sensory adaptation from a personal level. All material and investigational details provided within this paper are meant to provide a better and more fulfilling understanding for the concept of adaptation and how it activates an individual's perception.

Conducted Experiments of the Sensory Systems

The method in which an individual connects to the outside world is by experiencing various situations through stimulated senses (Rathus, 2007, p. 126). When particular elements of physical energy are experienced, they normally affect an individual's sensor organs and receptors (Editorial Board, 2011, p. 45), stimulating a sensation within the body's central nervous system (Rathus, 2007, p. 26). Through sensations, the body reacts to the elements, creating a prominent awareness based off the input gathered (Rathus, 2007, p. 126-127). The processes of perception is not automatic, in fact, it normally involves an individual to process and assess the sensation, understand and unify the physics of the sensation, and utilize a means of behavior and reaction in accordance to the sensation (Editorial Board, 2011, p. 45).

Sensory adaptation can be referred to as a process that occurs when an individual's sensory receptors alter their sensitivity levels due to particular degrees of stimulus (Rathus, 2007, p. 129). Sensory adaption generally affects all aspects of the senses such as a person's, sight, taste and touch. The senses are registered in the somatosensory cortex area of the brain and help distingue what actions an individual should take. Sensitivities to stimulations provide this area of the brain with information which helps one understand, reason and influence their mental and physical state of being and interactions (Rathus, 2007, p. 129). An individual becoming less sensitive to stimuli, which is continuing or consistent in magnitude, is experiencing positive adaptation, also referred to as sensitization (Rathus, 2007, p. 129). In addition, negative adaptation, also known as desensitization, involves the senses becoming more sensitive to stimuli, which are lower in magnitude (Rathus, 2007, p. 129).

Experiment 1 involves rubbing an index finger gently over a sheet of coarse sand paper and rating the paper's coarseness on a scale of one to seven: One being very soft and seven being extremely coarse. The first test indicates that the paper's coarsens level sitting at about a seven, meaning extremely coarse to touch. After a brief moment of removing the finger from the paper's surface, then reapplying it and rubbing the paper's surface again with the same finger, the reevaluation of the paper's texture sits about a five. One last rest and reevaluation reveals that the course level has dropped again to about three.

The experiment's overall outcome reveals that the perception towards the paper's texture has changed, even though the paper and the index finger are the same throughout the length of the experiment. The explanations for this change of perception concludes that the sensory receptors embedded in the skin have registered the paper's rough texture from the beginning of the experiment and have become adapted to its sensation of texture. This is known as active touching, and is a means of getting a better feel and a relevant understanding for stimuli (Rathus, 2007, p. 155).

After the first touch of feeling the textured paper, the following touch's sensitivity levels have adapted to the repetitive sensation of the texture through the sensory receptors called the mechanoreceptors (Editorial Board, 2011, p. 62). Therefore, allowing the surface to feel less coarse each following time it is reintroduce. These touch receptors gather the information concerning the stimuli, which it is carried through the dorsal column-medial lemniscal system to the sensory area of the brain (Editorial Board, 2011, p. 62). In fact, the human skin is part of the touch sensory system occupying a region within the primary somatosensory area of the brain (Rathus, 2007, p. 59). Furthermore, some areas of the skin, such as fingertips, are more sensitive than others areas (Rathus, 2007, p. 155). These areas are considered highly sensitive as opposed to the other senses because they are densely filled with nerve endings. Furthermore, a larger majority of the sensory cortex is dedicated to the perception of sensations in particular areas, including the fingertips (Rathus, 2007, p. 155).

Experiment 2 involves three bowls of water, all set at different sustainable temperature levels: very cold, neutral and very hot. The bowls are arranged with the cold water bowl on the right, the neutral water bowl in the middle, and the hot water bowl on the left. This is followed by placing two human hands into the bowls and fully submersing them into the cold and hot waters. This sequence is as follows: the right hand into the cold bowl and the left hand into the hot. By doing this, each hand experiences a different sensation of sensitivity levels. Furthermore, the obvious reactions from both hands being submerged, was that of a slight discomfort and a bit of anxiousness. After about three minutes both hands are removed and transferred quickly into the middle bowl of neutral water.

The results of this sudden transfer produce a very noticeable sensation simultaneously and in two distinct ways. First, each hand felt the neutral water at a different temperature degree. The left hand, which was initially submerged into hot water, felt the degree of the neutral bowl cold and somewhat chilling, especially on the fingers. This is a different outcome than what the right hand experienced, which was initially submerged into the cold water. Instead, the cold water hand felt the neutral bowl to be warmer and quite soothing. This was again noticeably prominent to the fingers. Second, the fact that the sensations occurred simultaneously seemed to confuse the overall perception of which hand felt more at ease, in fact both hands felt somewhat numb and disconnected in the first instance they were submerged into the neutral bowl of water.

The touch sensory receptors of the skin are known as thermoreceptors (Editorial Board, 2011, p. 62).