Human sensation and perception

Several simple investigations give an insight into the working of the human brain – exploring perception, learning or how we respond to our surroundings.

Experiments

• Practice makes perfect?
  Carry out three simple tests of sensorimotor skills. Present results graphically and interpret in terms of how sensorimotor skills have developed during the test.
• Assessing skin sensitivity – touch discrimination
  Touch the skin on different parts of the body with two points a measured distance apart. Determine the smallest distance in each area where two distinct touches are felt.
• Assessing skin sensitivity – locating different receptors
  Map stimulation of the skin over a small area using different stimuli to show that different kinds of receptor are distributed throughout the skin.
• Investigating how we see colour
  Use blocks of colour on projected slides or printed sheets to explore the relationship between visible colours and after-images. Develop hypotheses to explain colour vision.
• Assessing skin sensitivity – temperature receptors
  Investigate sensation induced by touch with a warm (but gradually cooling) thermometer and a cold (but gradually warming) thermometer.
• Assessing human hearing
  Use a number of techniques to evaluate the sense of hearing.