AP Psychology Lesson: Sensation: How We Detect and Process the World

Unit: Biological Bases of Behavior | Lesson: 6 of 6 | Topic: Sensation: How We Detect and Process the World
AP Exam Weighting: 15–25%
Instructions: Complete this lesson during class by filling in the blanks and answering questions. All information needed is provided or will be researched in class. This lesson prepares you for the AP Psychology exam by exploring how sensation influences behavior, a key concept for understanding the biological basis of psychology. Use the provided spaces to write your answers clearly, focusing on applying concepts critically.

Warm-Up

Purpose: Get you thinking about how your senses shape behavior.
Questions:

  1. How do you know if a food smells good or bad?

  2. Why might loud music affect your ability to focus?
    Your Answers: Write a short response (1–2 sentences) for each question.

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Key Concepts

Instructions: Read the information below and answer the questions to learn core AP concepts. For definitions, write them in your own words based on the content or look up a different definition if directed by your teacher (e.g., via apa.org or Google Scholar).
Content: Sensation is the process of detecting environmental stimuli (e.g., light, sound) through sensory receptors. Perception organizes and interprets sensory input into meaningful experiences (e.g., recognizing a smell as food). The absolute threshold is the minimum stimulus needed to detect a signal (e.g., hearing a faint whisper). The difference threshold is the smallest change in a stimulus that can be noticed (e.g., detecting a volume increase). Key senses include vision (retina detects light), hearing (cochlea detects sound waves), and touch (skin receptors detect pressure). Example: A loud noise may startle you (sensation), but recognizing it as a car horn (perception) prompts you to move. Sensory adaptation reduces sensitivity to constant stimuli (e.g., ignoring background noise). Dysfunction in sensory receptors, like retinal damage, can impair behaviors like reading.

  1. Define sensation in your own words: _______________________________

  2. Define absolute threshold in your own words: _______________________________

  3. Define sensory adaptation in your own words: _______________________________

  4. Explain how vision influences a behavior, using a specific example:

  5. Explain how hearing influences a behavior, using a different example:

  6. How does the difference threshold affect everyday decision-making?

  7. Why might sensory adaptation be useful in a busy environment?

  8. How could a sensory receptor dysfunction impact a specific behavior?

Guided Activity

Instructions: Work in pairs to complete the two tasks below. Write your answers and be prepared to share one key point from each task with the class.
Task 1: Scenario Analysis: Scenario: A student notices a faint smell of smoke while studying but ignores it until it gets stronger, then reacts quickly. Analyze how sensation, absolute threshold, and sensory adaptation contribute to these behaviors. For example, consider how the absolute threshold affects noticing the smell and why adaptation might delay the response.
Your Response for Task 1: Explain the role of each concept in these behaviors.

Class Share for Task 1: Note one point you’ll share.

Task 2: Case Application: Imagine a musician with hearing loss who struggles to distinguish musical notes but can still feel the rhythm through vibrations. Apply the concepts of sensation, sensory receptors, and difference threshold to explain their experience. For example, evaluate how hearing loss affects sensory processing and how touch compensates.
Your Response for Task 2: Apply the concepts to explain the musician’s experience.

Class Share for Task 2: Note one point you’ll share.

Do Class Assignment

AP Exam Practice

Instructions: Answer the question below. We’ll review answers as a class to learn exam strategies.
Free-Response Question (FRQ):
Explain how sensation, sensory receptors, and sensory adaptation interact to influence a specific behavior (e.g., attention, movement, or decision-making). Provide one example for each factor (sensation, sensory receptors, sensory adaptation) and analyze how they interact to shape the behavior.

Closure

Instructions: Write a brief summary (2–3 sentences) of two key ideas you learned today about how sensation influences behavior.

Extended Practice

Instructions: Complete the tasks below based on today’s lesson to reinforce AP skills.

  1. Review your answers from this lesson.

  2. Write a detailed paragraph (5–7 sentences) applying today’s topic to a real-life behavior (e.g., how your senses affect your behavior in a crowded place or while eating). Include references to sensation, sensory receptors, and sensory adaptation, and explain their interaction.

  3. Find a short article or study on sensation and behavior (e.g., via apa.org) and write 2–3 sentences summarizing its relevance to today’s lesson. Cite the source (e.g., website or article title).

Last modified: Tuesday, 5 August 2025, 9:50 PM