In this video I explain the process of transduction for taste and how gustatory cells detect tastant molecules in food. I discuss structures of the tongue, including papillae, taste buds, and gustatory cells and consider evolutionary explanations for changes in … Read More
Olfaction: Sense of Smell
In this video I explain the process of transduction for scent; how odorant molecules in the air can trigger different olfactory receptor neurons which then send messages to the rhinencephalon or “nose brain”. I mention the links between scent, emotion, … Read More
Touch, Haptic Perception, & the Somatosensory Cortex
In this video I describe touch sensation and haptic perception, which refers to exploring the world by grasping. I outline the types of receptor in the skin including mechanoreceptors, thermoreceptors, and nocireceptors, and then discuss how signals are mapped out … Read More
How Hearing Works: Parts of the Ear
In this video I explain the process of transduction for hearing in order to convert soundwaves into neural activity. I describe each of the parts of the ear and discuss how the movement of fluid in the basilar membrane triggers … Read More
Understanding Colorblindness
In this video I explain different types of colorblindness and what can cause people to have difficulty differentiating colors, either from the lack of a cone type (-anopia) or if the sensitivity of a cone type has been shifted (-anamoly). … Read More
Color Vision: Trichromatic and Opponent Process Theories
In this video I discuss how color vision occurs and explain two important theories for understanding color vision; Young-Helmholtz Trichromatic Theory and Opponent Process Theory. Along the way I describe how some people are able to see ultraviolet (UV) light, … Read More
Photoreceptors, Receptive Fields, and Lateral Inhibition
In this video I go into more detail on the retina, describing the two main types of photoreceptors (rods and cones) and how they operate in different levels of light. Next I describe the composition of receptive fields and how … Read More
Signal Detection Theory
In this video I explain how signal detection theory relates to psychophysics and the study of absolute and difference thresholds. I also explain how response criteria play a role in signal detection theory and the possibility of type I and … Read More
Psychophysics!
In this video I introduce psychophysics and explain the difference between the absolute threshold and the difference threshold (or just noticeable difference). I also discuss the difficulties of measuring our sensitivity to stimulation and provide a simple demonstration of Weber’s … Read More
Introduction to Sensation and Perception
In this video I introduce sensation and perception by explaining the difference between these two related terms. I also define transduction and consider how the organization and interpretation of sensory stimulation involves learning, experience, and the possibility for multiple interpretations … Read More