Sensation

Definition

Sensation (psychology) is the process by which our sensory organs detect stimuli from the environment and convert them into electrical signals that the brain can interpret. It is the first step in how we experience the world around us, involving the five primary senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. Sensation occurs when sensory receptors in our eyes, ears, skin, tongue, and nose respond to external or internal stimuli and send information to the brain for further processing.

Example

When you take a bite of a slice of pizza, your taste buds detect the salty and savory flavors, while your tongue feels the texture of the cheese and crust. At the same time, your eyes see the vibrant colors of the toppings, and your nose detects the aroma of melted cheese and tomato sauce. All these sensory inputs are being detected by your sensory organs—your mouth, eyes, and nose—and sent to your brain for interpretation. This is an example of sensation in action.

Why it Matters

Sensation is fundamental to how we interact with the world because it allows us to detect and respond to stimuli in our environment. Without sensation, we would not be able to experience basic elements of life, such as seeing colors, hearing sounds, or tasting food. It serves as the foundation for perception, which is the brain's interpretation of sensory information. Sensation helps us navigate daily tasks, enjoy experiences, and even survive by alerting us to potential dangers (e.g., hearing a loud noise or smelling smoke). Understanding sensation is essential in psychology because it provides insights into how our brains process information and shapes our overall experience of reality.

See Also

• Absolute Threshold
• Just Noticeable Difference
• Visual Sensory System
• Auditory Sensory System
• Olfactory Sensory System
• Gustation
• Somatosensory System
• Vestibular Sense
• Propriception
• Kinesthesia