Chapter 7

Republic of the Philippines
Cebu Normal University

Osmeña Blvd. Cebu City, 6000 Philippines
College of Arts & Sciences

Telephone No.: (+63 32) 254 6814 local 140
Email: cnucas@cnu.edu.ph
Website: www.cnu.edu.ph
Title of the Module : A Self – Instructional Module on the Mechanisms of Perception,

Hearing, Touch, Smell, Taste and Attention
Course Code : Psychology 106
Course Name : Physiological Psychology
Faculty : Jennifer Jane L. Descallar, MA Psych
I. Module Overview
In the previous chapters you have already learnt how we respond to various stimuli
present in the external and internal environment with the help of our receptors. While some of
these receptors are clearly observable (for example, eyes or ears), others lie inside our body,
and are not observable without the help of electrical or mechanical devices. This chapter will
introduce you to various receptors that collect a variety of information from the external and
internal worlds. The focus will be particularly on the structure and function of eye and ear,
including some interesting processes associated with vision and audition. You will also know
some important things about attention, which helps us to notice and register the information
that our sense organs carry to us. Different types of attention will be described along with the
factors that influence them. At the end, we will discuss the process of perception that allows
us to understand the world in a meaningful way. You will also have an opportunity to know
how we are sometimes deceived by certain types of stimuli such as figures and pictures.
II. Desired Learning Outcomes
At the end of the session:
1. The student can explain the relationship between physical and perceptual dimensions
of sound;
2. Describe the components of the human ear, and explain how the sound is processed
within the various structures;
3. Discuss the olfactory system;
4. Discuss the gustatory system;
5. Explain the two characteristics of selective attention, and explain what is meant by
exogenous versus endogenous attention; and
6. Describe the phenomenon of change blindness and neural mechanisms of attention.
III. Learning Contents and Learning Tasks
Mechanisms of Perception: Hearing, Touch, Smell, Taste and Attention
Exteroceptive Sensory Systems:

Mechanisms of attention are how we attend to a small number of sensory stimuli despite being
continuously bombarded by thousands of them.
Registration No. 52Q18778

Certification Date: 6 August 2018
Recertification due date: 24 January 2021
For verification of the certificate please access
www.globalgroup.net (Certification check and type
the registration number)

Exteroceptive Sensory System:

• Auditory,
• Somatosensory (touch)
• Olfactory (smell)
• gustatory (taste)
The sensory areas of the cortex is broken into 3 fundamentally different types:
Primary Sensory Cortex: receives most of its input directly from the thalamic relay nuclei
of that system
Secondary Sensory Cortex: Comprises the area of the sensory cortex that receive most
of their input from the primary sensory cortex areas & from the same secondary sensory
cortex areas
Associate Cortex: Any area off cortex that receives input from more than one sensory
system. Most input comes from via the areas of the secondary sensory cortex.
• The interactions of the 3 areas are characterized by 3 major principles.

▪ 1. Hierarchical organization
▪ 2. Functional Segregation
▪ 3. Parallel Processing
• Hierarchical Organization: Members of the system are assigned to specific levels or

ranks in relation to one another. The Hierarchical levels are organized on the basis of
specificity and complexity of their function. As one moves from layers like receptors
to association Cortex, neurons respond optimally to greater levels of complexity and
specificity
Receptors --> Thalamic Relay Nuclei --> Primary Sensory Cortex --> Secondary Sensory
Cortex --> Association Cortex
• Functional Segregation: It is now clear that each of the 3 levels of cerebral cortex
(primary, secondary, association) in each sensory system contains functionally
distinct areas that specialize in different kinds of analysis.
• Parallel Processing: The simultaneous analysis of a signal in different ways by the

multiple parallel pathways of a neural network.
• 2 fundamentally different kinds of parallel systems of analysis in our
sensory system:
• 1. One capabel of influencing our behavior without our conscious
awareness
• 2. One that influences our behavior by engaging our conscious
awareness


Division of labor: sensory systems are characterized by multiple specialized areas, at

multiple levels, are interconnected by multiple parallel pathways
Yet complex stimulus are normally perceived as integrated wholes.
Sensory neurons carry information mostly from lower to higher but some go the opposite
direction or laterally
Auditory System
Perception of Sound: is the perception of objects and events though the sounds that they
make. Sounds are vibrations, of air molecules that stimulate the auditory system.
• Humans only hear 20 -- 20,000 hertz
• Amplitude = loudness
• Frequency = pitch
• Complexity = Tibre
▪
Pure tones (sine waves) only occur in laboratory or recording studios
Fourier Analysis: The mathematical procedure for breaking down complex waves
into their component sine waves.
• Some theorize that the auditory stystem performs a Fourier-like analysis of complex
sounds in terms of their components.
The Ear:
Tympanic Membrane (eardrum): Sound waves travel from the outer ear down the
auditory canal and cause the eardrum to vibrate.
• These vibrations are then transferred to the 3 Ossicles: the small bones of the middle ear:
▪ The Malleus (the hammer)
▪ The Incus (the anvil)
▪ The Stapes (the Stirup)
• The vibrations of the stapes trigger vibrations of the membrane called the
Oval Window: which inturn transfers the vibrations to the fluid of the
snail-shaped Cochlea: long, coiled tube with an internal membrane
running almost to its tip.
• The internal membrane is the Organ of Corti: Each pressure change
at the oval window travels along the organ of Corti as a wave.
Which is composed of 2 membranes
• Basilar membrane:
• Tectorial Membrane
• The auditory receptors (hair cells) are mounted in the
basilar membrane and the tectorial membrane. The
stimulation of the hair cells increases firing in axons of
the Auditory nerve:


Sound -> Ear -> Tympanic Membrane (eardrum) -> 3 Ossicles (strapes) -> Oval Window ->
Organ of Corti -> Hair Cells -> auditory nerve
The major principle of Cochlear Coding is that different frequencies produce maximal
stimulation of hair cells at different points along the basilar membrane.
• Tonotopic: the organization of the auditory system is according to the frequency of
sound.
Vestibular System: carries information tbout the direction and intensity of head
movements, which helps us maintain our balance.
• Semicircular canals: the receptive organs of the Vestibular system
Auditory nerve Syanpse located in Ipsilater Cochlear Nuclei --> superior olives -> inferior
colliculi -> medial geniculate nuclei (thalamus)
Lateral & Medial Superior Olives: Localization of sounds in space

• Medial: respond to slight differences in the time of arrival of signals from the 2 ears
• Lateral: Respond to slight differences in the amplitude of sounds from the 2 ears.
Superior Colliculi: locating sources of sensory input in space.
Primary Auditory Cortex:

• Receives input from medial geniculate nucleus
• Located in the Temporal Lobe (hidden by the lateral Fissure)
▪ Adjacent to the PAC is the 3 areas
• Core Region
• Belt
• Para Belt area:
Two Main Cortical Streams of Auditory Analysis:

• Prefrontal Cortex (the what of sounds)
• Posterior Parietal Cortex (the where of sounds)
Cutaneous Receptors
Free Nerve Endings: the simplest cutaneous receptors, that have no specialized
structures on them, They are particularly sensitive to temperature change & pain.
Pacinian Corpucles: Shaped like an onion, they are the Largest and Deepest cutaneous
receptors. They adapt rapidly, they respond to sudden displacements of the skin but not to
constant pressure.
• Merkel's Disks & Ruffini Endings: both adapt slowly and respond to gradual skin
indentation & skin stretch.


Stereognosis: the attempt to identify objects by touch, with the manipulation of the object in
your hands so that the pattern of stimulation continually changes.
Most Tactual stimulation Receptors function the same way:

• Stimuli applied to the skin deform or change the chemistry of the receptor
▪ This changes the permeability of the receptor cell membrane to various ions
• The result is a neural signal
• Dermatome: The area of the body that is innervated by the left and right dorsal
roots of a given segment of the spinal cord
▪ Neural fibers that carry info from cutaneous receptors & other somatosensory
receptors gather to form nerves and enter the spinal cord via the dorsal roots.
The somatosensory info ascends each side of the body to the cortex over 2 major
pathways:
• 1. Dorsal-Column Medial Lemniscus system: carry info about touch & proprioception
▪ Sensory neurons enter the spinal cord via a Dorsal Root, ascend ipsilaterally in
the dorsal collumns and synapse in the Dorsal Column Nuclei of the Medulla.
The neurons of the Dorsal column Nuclei Decussate and then ascend in the
Medial Lemniscus to the contralateral Ventral Posterior Nucleus of the Thalamus
▪ The Ventral posterior nuclie receive input via 3 branches of trigeminal nerve
• Primary somatosensory Cortex
• Secondary somatosensory cortex
• 2. Anterolateral system: Tends to carry info about pain & Temperature.

• They do not decussate but ascend ipsilaterally.
▪ Comprised of 3 different tracts:
• 1. Spinothalmic Tract: Projects to the thalamus
• 2. Spinoreticular Tract: Projects to the reticular formation (and then
to the parafascicular nuclei)
(thalamus)
• 3. Spinotectal Tract: Projects to the tectum (colliculi)
▪ The 3 Branches of the Trigeminal Nerve: carry pain & Temperature

information fro the face to the same thalamic sites.
• Primary somatosensory Cortex (SI) is Somatotopic: Organized according to a

map of the body surface.
▪ This somatotopic map is comonly refffered to as the Somatosensory Homunculus.
The receptive fields of many neurons in the primary somatosensory Cortex can be divided
into 2 areas:
• Antagonistic Excitatory area
• Inhibitory area
Columnar Organization: Organization of somatosensory neurons is similar to that of the


primary sensory cortex.
• Each cell in a particular column of primary somatensory cortex had a receptive field
on the same part of the body and responded most robustly to the same type of tactile
• stimuli
▪ The primary somatosensory cortex is composed of 4 functional strips:
• Each strip is of PSC is sensitive to a different kind of somatosensory
input (light touch or pressure)
• As one moves from anterior to posterior the preferences of the neurons
would become more complex & Specific
• Meaning a Anterior-to-Posterior hierarchical organization
Epileptic patients have 2 minor contralateral deficits

• Reduced ability to detect light touch
• Reduced ability to identify objects by touch
Somatosensory Agnosias
2 major types of somatosensory agnosia
• 1. Astereognosia: The inability to recognize objects by touch. (pure astereognosia is
rare)
• 2. Asomatognosia: the failure to recognize parts of one's own body. Usually

Unilateral, affecting the left side
of the body; and associated with extensive damage to the Right Posterior Parietal
Lobe.
▪ Anosognosia: Often accompanies asomatognosia. It is the

failure of neuropsychological patients to recognize their own
symptoms
▪ Contralateral Neglect: A common component of Asomatognosia. It is the

tendency not to respond to stimuli that are contralateral to a right-hemispher
injury.
The 3 paradoxes of Pain
1. An experience that seems in every respect to be so bad is in fact extremely

important to our survival. No special stimulus for pain; it is a response to potentially
harmful stimulation of any type
2. Pain has no obvious Cortical Representation. Painful stimuli activate many

areas of Cortex, but the particular areas of activation vary from person to person.
▪ However, the Anterior Cingulate Cortex: is most frequently linked to the

experience of pain (cortex of the anterior cingulate gyrus)
• The Anterior Cingulate Cortex: appears to be involved in the emotional


reaction to pain rather than to the perception of pain itself.
3. Pain is the most compelling of all sensory experiences but can be effectively
suppressed by cognitive & emotional factors.
▪ Gate Control Theory: accounts for the ability of cognitive & emotional factors
to block pain. It theorizes that signals descending from the brain can activate
neural gating circuits in the spinal cord to block incoming pain signals.
▪ 3 Discoveries led to the identification of Descending Pain-Control Circuit

• Periaqueductal Gray (PAG): Discovered it has analgesic (pain-blocking)
effects.
• The discovery that the PAG & other areas of the brain contain
specialized receptors for opiate analgesic drugs such as morphine.
• The isolation of several endogenous (internally produced) opaite
analgesics, Endorphins, meant that drugs & psychological factors might
block pain through an Endorphine Sensitive Circuit that descends from
the PAG
First Descending Analgesia Circuit

• Output from the PAG excites the Serotonergic Neurons of the Raphe Nuclei
(core of Medulla), which in turn project down the Dorsal Columns of the spinal
Cord and Excite interneurons that Block incoming pain signals in the Dorsal
Horn
Neuropathic Pain: A severe chronic pain in the absence of a recognizable pin stimulus.
Typically develops after an injury: The injury heals and there seems to be no reason for
further pain, but the patient experiences chronic excruciating pain. Pain can be triggered by
an innocuous stimulus such as a gentle touch.
• Signals from aberrant Glial Cells trigger hyperactivity in neural pain pathways
▪ Caused by abnormal activity in the CNS Pain meds can't help
IV. Learning Outcomes Assessment
In this module, you will answer certain activities that are attached to examine your personal
understanding the topic. Please see the activity sheets attached in the last part of the module (See
Activity Sheet 7-A)


PSYCH 106 – Physiological Psychology SCORE:

Chapter 7 Mechanisms of Perception, Hearing, Touch, ACTIVITY SHEET NO. 7-A
Smell, Taste and Attention
Class No.: __________ Name : ______________________________________________________

Date : _____________ Course and Year: ______________________ Schedule: _____________
ESSAY
Directions: Fill in the blanks with the answers that you think are appropriate for you.
1. Think of the food that you like to eat the most. Which of the six taste sensations do these
foods have, and why do you think that you like these particular flavors?
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2. Why do you think that women might have a better developed sense of smell than do men?
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3. Why is experiencing pain a benefit for human beings?
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V. References
Books
Mader, S. S. (2005). Understanding Anatomy Physiology. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Pinel, J. P., & Barnes, S. L. (2018). BIOPSYCHOLOGY 10TH EDITION.
Singapore: Pearson.
Video/s
Video Title : Processing Auditory, Somatosensory, Olfactory, and Gustatory Information

Video Link : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ov6tuhZ2ro


VI. Module Evaluation
Directions: Please evaluate your experience in using the module by putting a check mark ( ) on the
space provided in each statement. Your thoughtful and candid response is valuable and highly
appreciated.
A = strongly agree B = agree C = neutral D = disagree E = strongly disagree
Module A B C D E
1.The module gave sufficient information and knowledge
2.The module was well organized
3.The contents of the module were helpful
4.The aims of the module were appropriate
5.The module’s time table worked efficiently
Organization A B C D E
1. The sequence of the module was properly organized
2. The resources available for this module met the students’ needs
3.The time table worked efficiently
4.The module was effective in supporting the students’ learning
Learning A B C D E
1.The students developed new knowledge from these activities
2.The activities have helped the students develop the ability to plan their
own work
3.The activities made the students explore their academic interest
4.They stimulated the students’ intellectual ability
5.The activities enabled the students to develop their ability as an
independent learner
General Comments / Suggestions:

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Republic of the Philippines

Cebu Normal University

College of Arts & Sciences

Title of the Module : A Self – Instructional Module on the Mechanisms of Perception,

II. Desired Learning Outcomes

At the end of the session:

III. Learning Contents and Learning Tasks

Mechanisms of Perception: Hearing, Touch, Smell, Taste and Attention

Exteroceptive Sensory Systems:

Registration No. 52Q18778

College of Arts & Sciences

Exteroceptive Sensory System:

• The interactions of the 3 areas are characterized by 3 major principles.

• Hierarchical Organization: Members of the system are assigned to specific levels or

• Parallel Processing: The simultaneous analysis of a signal in different ways by the

Registration No. 52Q18778

College of Arts & Sciences

Division of labor: sensory systems are characterized by multiple specialized areas, at

Registration No. 52Q18778

College of Arts & Sciences

Lateral & Medial Superior Olives: Localization of sounds in space

Superior Colliculi: locating sources of sensory input in space.

Primary Auditory Cortex:

Two Main Cortical Streams of Auditory Analysis:

Registration No. 52Q18778

College of Arts & Sciences

Most Tactual stimulation Receptors function the same way:

• 2. Anterolateral system: Tends to carry info about pain & Temperature.

▪ The 3 Branches of the Trigeminal Nerve: carry pain & Temperature

• Primary somatosensory Cortex (SI) is Somatotopic: Organized according to a

Columnar Organization: Organization of somatosensory neurons is similar to that of the

Registration No. 52Q18778

College of Arts & Sciences

primary sensory cortex.

Epileptic patients have 2 minor contralateral deficits

• 2. Asomatognosia: the failure to recognize parts of one's own body. Usually

▪ Anosognosia: Often accompanies asomatognosia. It is the

▪ Contralateral Neglect: A common component of Asomatognosia. It is the

The 3 paradoxes of Pain

1. An experience that seems in every respect to be so bad is in fact extremely

2. Pain has no obvious Cortical Representation. Painful stimuli activate many

▪ However, the Anterior Cingulate Cortex: is most frequently linked to the

Registration No. 52Q18778

College of Arts & Sciences

reaction to pain rather than to the perception of pain itself.

▪ 3 Discoveries led to the identification of Descending Pain-Control Circuit

First Descending Analgesia Circuit

IV. Learning Outcomes Assessment

Registration No. 52Q18778

College of Arts & Sciences

PSYCH 106 – Physiological Psychology SCORE:

Class No.: __________ Name : ______________________________________________________

Registration No. 52Q18778

College of Arts & Sciences

3. Why is experiencing pain a benefit for human beings?

Registration No. 52Q18778

College of Arts & Sciences

Video Title : Processing Auditory, Somatosensory, Olfactory, and Gustatory Information

Registration No. 52Q18778

College of Arts & Sciences

VI. Module Evaluation

A = strongly agree B = agree C = neutral D = disagree E = strongly disagree

Class No.: Name : ____________________________________________