29.5: Key Terms

adaptation

the process by which sensory systems adjust to ongoing stimuli, optimizing processing efficiency

alert

a state of heightened wakefulness, attentiveness, and responsiveness in which an individual is fully awake, aware of their surroundings, and capable of actively engaging with stimuli and tasks

altered consciousness

any deviation from the normal waking state of consciousness, characterized by changes in perception, cognition, or awareness

anhedonia

reduced sensory pleasure and decreased interest in sensory experiences

asleep

a natural state of rest characterized by reduced consciousness, diminished responsiveness to external stimuli, and altered brain activity during sleep

auditory sensory perception

the process by which the auditory system receives, transmits, and interprets sound stimuli from the environment

awareness

conscious perception and understanding of oneself, one’s surroundings, and the experiences that arise from sensory input and cognitive processes

coma

a profound state of unconsciousness characterized by a complete loss of consciousness, absence of wakefulness, and lack of response to external stimuli

conscious states

range of mental experiences and subjective awareness that individuals perceive as part of their waking life

extraversion

personality trait characterized by sociability, outgoingness, and a preference for social interactions

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

a neurological assessment tool used to evaluate a patient’s level of consciousness and neurological function

gustatory sensory perception

the ability to detect and interpret tastes using the gustatory system

kinesthetic sense (also, proprioceptive sense)

the sense of body awareness and movement control

lethargic

a state of drowsiness, sluggishness, and reduced energy levels in which an individual appears excessively tired or fatigued

neural plasticity

the brain's ability to reorganize and adapt its structure and function in response to changes

obtundation

a state of decreased alertness and responsiveness in which an individual opens their eyes in response to tactile stimuli or other external cues but responds slowly and may appear confused or disoriented

olfactory sensory perception

the ability to detect and interpret smells using the olfactory system

ototoxic

medications that have the potential to cause damage to the structures of the inner ear or the auditory nerve

proprioceptors

specialized sensory receptors located in muscles, tendons, and joints that detect changes in muscle length, tension, and joint position, providing continuous feedback to the brain about the body’s position in space

reticular activating system (RAS)

a crucial neural network in the brainstem responsible for regulating arousal, attention, and consciousness

sensation seeking

tendency to seek out novel, varied, and intense experiences

senses

physiological mechanisms by which organisms perceive and respond to stimuli from their environment

sensoristasis

balance between under- and overstimulation, optimizing arousal levels for sensory perception and cognitive function

sensory deficit

impairment or loss in one or more sensory modalities, such as vision, hearing, touch, taste, or smell

sensory deprivation

refers to the absence or reduction of normal sensory inputs, leading to a state of decreased stimulation and sensory isolation

sensory discrimination

the brain’s ability to interpret and distinguish between different sensory stimuli

sensory discrimination disorder (SDD)

a condition characterized by difficulties in accurately interpreting and distinguishing between sensory stimuli

sensory integration

the brain’s ability to organize and make sense of information received through the senses

sensory modulation

the brain’s ability to regulate and respond appropriately to sensory stimuli from the environment

sensory modulation disorder (SMD)

a condition characterized by atypical responses to sensory stimuli, resulting in difficulties regulating and processing sensory information

sensory overload

occurs when an individual is exposed to an excessive amount of sensory stimuli that overwhelms their ability to process and integrate information effectively

sensory perception

process by which organisms gather information from the environment through the senses (such as sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell) and interpret and make sense of that information

sensory processing disorder (SPD)

a neurological condition that affects how individuals process and respond to sensory information from the environment

sensory-based motor disorder (SBMD)

a condition characterized by challenges in coordinating motor movements due to underlying sensory processing difficulties

states of arousal

levels of physiological and psychological alertness and responsiveness exhibited by an individual

stupor

a state of reduced consciousness marked by extreme lethargy, diminished responsiveness, and a significant decrease in alertness and awareness

tactile sensory perception

the ability to detect and interpret touch sensations

unconscious states

mental processes and activities that occur without conscious awareness or voluntary control

vegetative state (also, unresponsive wakefulness syndrome)

a condition marked by wakefulness without awareness, in which the individual appears awake but lacks meaningful responsiveness

visceral sense (also, interoceptive sense)

responsible for detecting and monitoring internal body sensations such as hunger, thirst, pain, and visceral organ function

visual sensory perception

the process by which the visual system detects, interprets, and makes sense of visual stimuli