Sensory Receptors: The Foundation of Sensation and Perception
Sensation: The Gateway to Sensory Experiences
Sensation, the fundamental building block of our sensory experiences, arises from the activity of sensory receptors that allow us to perceive stimuli from both our internal and external environments (Goldstein, 1988). It involves the mere reception of information, enabling us to respond to stimuli.
Types of Sensations
- Exteroceptive Sensitivity: Stimuli from the external world and external body qualities
- Interoceptive Sensitivity: Information from the internal body environment, including organs and bodily functions (hunger, anxiety, physiological needs)
- Proprioceptive Sensitivity: Information on muscle stretching, body position in space, motor activity, balance, etc.
- Kinesthetic sensations: Body position and its segments
- Vestibular sensations (hearing, lobby): Chills, changes in orientation
Perception: The Interpretation of Sensory Data
Perception, a higher-order process, builds upon sensory data but involves mental analysis and synthesis. It allows us to recognize and interpret sensations based on memory, past experiences, attention, and motivation. All our knowledge of the external and internal environment stems from the decoding and interpretation of sensory messages, providing the foundation for learning.
The Role of Sensation and Perception in Motor Learning
Sensation and perception play a crucial role in motor learning. They involve the following components:
- Stimuli: Elements that trigger sensory responses (e.g., light, weight, cold)
- Recipient: Body part that receives the stimulus
- Afferent Pathway: Neural pathway that transmits information from the recipient to the central nervous system
- Central Nervous System: Where information is interpreted and motor commands are generated
- Efferent Pathway: Neural pathway that transmits motor commands to the effector organ
- Effector: Body part that executes the movement
Perspective on Information Processing
Understanding the transformations of information during motor learning is essential. To learn a task effectively, individuals must:
- Perceive relevant environmental stimuli
- Select and plan a compatible motor response
- Execute the movement accurately
- Evaluate the response and adjust it if necessary
The Education of the Senses: Guidelines for Intervention
- Stimulate sensory capacities for motor development
- Explore sensory possibilities, recognizing sense organs and relating stimuli to receptors
- Provide a stimulating environment that engages all senses
- Refine sensory tuning by introducing new sensations and nuances
- Encourage sensory interaction for intersensory coordination and understanding
- Direct attention to stimuli of interest
- Recognize and discriminate sensory experiences
- Plan responses based on sensory data
- Classify and manage sensations
- Express and communicate sensory experiences
- Use expressive body movements to manifest sensory experiences
Conditions for Development of Sensations and Perceptions
- Of one’s body: Interoceptive and proprioceptive sensations
- Of the child’s relationship with oneself and others: Monitoring and sensory exploration of bodies
- Related to space and time: Location, perspectives, rhythms, speed, trajectories
- Of the child’s relationship with objects: Use of the senses