PSYC 205 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Sensory System, Mate Choice, Zebra Finch
15 Jun 2018
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Lecture 2: Sensory Systems
Lecture Outline
FAQ
News
Matters arising from the learning labs
Sensory Systems
Introduction
Sensation vs. Perception
Evolution of Sensory Systems
Development of Sensory Systems
1 Introduction
Why study sensory systems in a course on Comparative Cognition? (Be sure to read the
Week 2 Introduction)
To remind us how much sensory systems vary across species. Sensory systems provide
elements on all different dimensions. Sensory systems can bring meaning to people in
how they interpret it. Animal sensory systems are diverse and, because they provide the
first point of contact between an organism and its environment, they are the initial means
by which information is gathered.
The ‘Classic 5’ Sensory Systems
Smell—animal’s olfactory abilities vary
Sight—some species have adapted to see at night
Taste – there are animals with heightened taste?
Sound – some animals can locate objects using sonar/echolocation
Touch – animals have specialized receptors that respond to fine touch and are
concentrated on the fingertips and face
Other systems that can detect electric and magnetic fields
- E.g sharks have electroreceptors
- Homing pigeons can return home by sensing the earth’s magnetic field and other
orientation cues
Document Summary
Why study sensory systems in a course on comparative cognition? (be sure to read the. To remind us how much sensory systems vary across species. Sensory systems provide elements on all different dimensions. Sensory systems can bring meaning to people in how they interpret it. Animal sensory systems are diverse and, because they provide the first point of contact between an organism and its environment, they are the initial means by which information is gathered. The (cid:858)classi(cid:272) 5(cid:859) se(cid:374)sor(cid:455) s(cid:455)ste(cid:373)s concentrated on the fingertips and face. Other systems that can detect electric and magnetic fields. Sight some species have adapted to see at night. Sound some animals can locate objects using sonar/echolocation. Touch animals have specialized receptors that respond to fine touch and are. Ho(cid:373)i(cid:374)g pigeo(cid:374)s (cid:272)a(cid:374) retur(cid:374) ho(cid:373)e (cid:271)(cid:455) se(cid:374)si(cid:374)g the earth(cid:859)s (cid:373)ag(cid:374)eti(cid:272) field a(cid:374)d other orientation cues. Cognitive processes are at least initially influenced by sensory input.
