Section 1
Chapter 5
1. Can you tell the difference between the touch of a loved one and the touch of a stranger? Do you think you can learn to interpret a touch differently with experience?
2. Some smells and tastes are truly disgusting and lead to characteristic facial expressions and reactions. Can you think of any adaptive reasons why we might have such reactions?
3. Define sensation and perception, and discriminate between the two.
4. Briefly describe the field of study termed psychophysics. What is the absolute threshold?
5. What are feature detectors, and what is their function?
Section 2
Chapter 6
Sleep Journal
For this exercise, you’ll be paying special attention to your sleep patterns. Over the next few nights of sleep, take note of the following:
1. How much sleep do you get in a typical night? Do you take naps during the day?
2. When do you typically get to bed and rise in the morning? Are you more of a “morning lark” or a “night owl?”
3. What events (if any) interfered with your ability to get to sleep or interfered with your typical sleep pattern?
4. Did you wake up during the night? What time was it? Was it because of a dream?
5. What special methods (if any) do you use to get to sleep? Why do you think these work?
6. Do you notice much of a relationship between the amount or quality of sleep and how you function the next day?