Sensation and Perception
Sensation and perception are critical tenets to how humans perceive the environment around them. The sensation is the process of sensing the environment, such as a sense of touch or taste. In contrast, perception is the interpretation of the sensations- these are the difference between the two tenets (Top Hat). Sensation and perception are pivotal to how we learn. Both focus on different aspects of the environment. For instance, the eyes are programmed to see what is around us. Through this, the detection of stimuli is activated, and there is the transduction of the signal to the brain for further processing of information to comprehend what is happening around us. Consequently, the learning process is instilled. The mind is then conditioned to know the difference in sounds, smell, or events such as dog barking or a crying baby.
There are three different types of learning. They include classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning. Classical conditioning is the process of learning through stimuli association requiring us to anticipate events (Top Hat). An example is whenever I see any meal, and I instinctively become hungry. Concerning operant conditioning, it is the association of behavior and its consequence. An example is when I through a stick away from my dog, the dog quickly grabs the stick, knowing that I will reward it with a treat. The last type is observational learning, which is described as the concept of watching other people and then imitating their gestures (Top Hat). I often play with my niece, and I often imitate what she is doing, which immediately makes her laugh. Therefore, sensation and perception can be associated with learning. Sensation allows us to learn about our stimuli and the response, while perception enables the interpretation of what we have learned.
In conclusion, sensation and perception are critical tenets in how we engage with our environment and how we learn to respond to it. Sensation and perception allow us to determine what is around us by conditioning us to know what is good or bad or unacceptable.
Work Cited
Top Hat. Sensation and Perception. Accessed 23rd February 2020 https://tophat.com/marketplace/social-science/psychology/textbooks/oer-openstax-psychology-openstax-content/85/4044/