US High School Psychology Practice Exam

Which of the following best defines sensation?

1. The mental process of organizing and interpreting sensory input.

2. The detection of physical energy by the sensory receptors.

3. The ability to recognize environmental changes.

4. The experience of perceiving information.

The correct answer is: The detection of physical energy by the sensory receptors.

The selected answer accurately defines sensation as it refers to the initial process of detecting physical energy from the environment through sensory receptors, such as those in the eyes, ears, skin, and other organs. This process involves the conversion of external stimuli, like light or sound, into neural signals that the brain can understand. In contrast, the other choices represent different processes related to how we interact with and understand sensory information. One option describes perception, which builds on sensation by organizing and interpreting the sensory input, going beyond mere detection. Another choice relates to the ability to recognize environmental changes, which ties more closely to cognitive functions and learning, rather than the basic physiological process of sensation. Lastly, another option involves the experience of perceiving information, which again suggests a level of interpretation and understanding that follows the initial detection stage defined by sensation.