Sensory Processes

By David R. Soderquist

Book Overview

"There is no comparable text for a course in perception that emphasizes the neural basis of perception rather than simply perceptual phenomena and psychophysics...It is strong in the clarity with which some difficult concepts are explained. The author does not restrict himself to a physics and engineering approach, but rather gives the reader a mental image of what is happening biologically. Inclusion of disorders is another big advantage...The quality of writing is excellent. The level is appropriate for upper level undergraduates."

-- RICKYE HEFFNER, University of Toledo

"I think the book′s primary strengths are its attention to detail and willingness to tackle difficult topics and offer very good explanations and analogies."

-- STEVEN HAASE, University of Wisconsin at Madison

"I′m very sympathetic to the goal of this book in taking an enhanced multidisciplinary approach to the area of Sensation/Perception, with particular emphasis on the neuroscience background. Also commendable is the detailed treatment of sense modalities other than vision and audition."

-- MICHAEL SLOANE, University of Alabama at Birmingham

"I like the general tone of the book. The overall approach and the metaphors are quite nice."

-- BRUCE HALPERN, Cornell University

This core text emphasizes the underlying neural structures and functions of sensory systems (pain, olfaction, gustation, audition, vision, etc.) and presents this complex material at a level comprehensible to undergraduates as well as beginning graduate students. The text begins with a review of the central nervous system and its sensory components and includes discussions of methodological techniques and procedures used to study sensory processes.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0761923330
• ISBN13: 9780761923336
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Sage Publications, Inc
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 1.79 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 7.5" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Great interdiscliplinary intro to human sensory systems

Sensory Processes by David Soderquist (Sage Publications) provides an introductory text that emphasizes all the sensory systems from a neuroscience perspective. The text is designed to meet a new and relatively unique niche in the neurosciences. The first two chapters provide the basic neural and physiological foundations for the remaining chapters. The text then continues by focusing on the neurological processes associated with each sensory modality. Although the emphasis is on the neurological aspects of each sensory system, perception is not disregarded. Perceptual processes are introduced and discussed from a neurological perspective. A unique aspect of the text is the inclusion of anomalies and dysfunctions for each sensory modality. In addition, a Glossary provides definitions for each highlighted term or concept discussed in the chapters. Given this approach, the content of the book is most likely to attract individuals interested in neuroscience, psychology, and biology. Sensory Processes, however, also recommends itself to those in other disciplines (anthropology, pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, pre-veterinarian)For over three decades Soderquist taught graduate and undergraduate courses in psychology. Although the courses have varied in their depth of presentation, content, and titles (Introductory Psychology, Perception, Sensation and Perception, Sensory Processes, Biological Psychology, Auditory Perception, Animal Psychophysics), they all focused on or emphasized particular perceptual aspects of human and animal existence. Because perception is one of the major intellectual pursuits of psychologists, it is well recognized that "There is nothing that is in the intellect that is not first in the senses" (Blaise Pascal).