The Experiment: Sensory Adaptation

Running head: THE EXPERIMENT: SENSORY ADAPTATION

The Experiment: Sensory Adaptation

Joy Gallow

PSY206-1002B-06

American Intercontinental University

Abstract

Experiments have been tested and recorded to test my sensory adaptations. Through experimentation I learned about adaptation in reference to our senses and why they are important. Testing each experiment I learned the sensory process. These experiments also provide theories and explanations of the sensory process. What role does evolution play with our senses? Sensory adaptation and experimentation will give a perception of what happens from the receptor site all the way to the brain.

The Experiment: Sensory Adaptation

I conducted three experiments: sensory adaptation of finger to sandpaper, sensory adaptation of sugar water and fresh water, and sensory adaptation to hot, cold and lukewarm water. In each of the experiments conducted a change in perception occurred. The brain had to figure out how to translate the sensory messages being sent.

The first experiment is sensory adaptation of finger to sandpaper. In this experiment I ran my finger over a very coarse piece of sandpaper a couple of times on a scale of one to seven (with seven being the coarsest). I rated the touch a seven. It felt very rough and sensitive. After a couple minutes, I ran the same finger over the same sandpaper and rated its coarseness again. My perception of the coarseness changed. I rated the second touch a three. The touch was less rough and not as sensitive. The same finger rubbing the sandpaper minutes apart was my sense adapting to the roughness of the sandpaper. My senses adjusted to the level of stimulation causing the second rub not to be as rough or sensitive. This experiment is the sensor’s adaptation to touch.

The second experiment is sensory adaption of sugar water and fresh water. In this experiment poured one cup of sugar water and a cup of fresh water. I took a sip of the sugar water and moved it around...