Sensation fulfills a function of brining sensory data, such as sound waves, light patterns and tactile stimulation into the body and to the brain. It breaks down data into the smallest parts. Perception follows sensation and synthesizes all the data into more complex maps. These maps are subsequently related through memory to similar maps from previous experience. In other words, perception classifies images into familiar categories, for instance plants, animals, birds. Therefore, a person is able to realize that the pattern of light waves striking a retina is a flower. Thus, the difference between perception and sensation lies in the working procedure. Sensation works by analysis while perception works by synthesis. Sensation is a passive process because a person is not intentionally engaged in it. Perception is considered to be an active process since it is carried out in consequence of deliberate selection and interpretation of information (Cohen, 2011).
Formation of pain perception mechanism occurs within a social context. Every person learns how to respond to pain in early childhood. The context or meaning of the pain is important for a child. For example, a child slumps down the floor and looks at parent’s reaction. If they indicate that their child should be experiencing pain, she or he receives this stimulus (Schechter, Berde, & Yaster 2003).
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If pain perception is of the pervasive influence in person’s life, it can harm its quality. Pain may seep into different aspects of life. For example, mother will be unable to help her child with homework, when she is overwhelmed with pain. Person with increased level of pain perception is afraid to undergo a cure that can lead to ill health. However, sometimes pain plays good role. It warns of medical problem before it gets out of control. Pain also helps a person to avoid pain stimulus in the future (Staud, 2007).
- Cohen, L. (2011). The handy psychology answer book. Michigan: Visible Ink Press.
- Schechter, N., Berde, Ch., Yaster, M. (2003). Pain in infants, children and adolescents (2nd ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
- Staud, R. (2007). Fibromyalgia for dummies (2nd ed.).Indiana: Wiley Publishing Inc.
