A Tour of the Senses: How Your Brain Interprets the World

by John M. Henshaw

Overview

2012 Outstanding Academic Title, Choice Magazine

Ever wonder why some people have difficulty recognizing faces or why food found delicious in one culture is reviled in another? John M. Henshaw ponders these and other surprising facts in this fascinating and fast-paced tour of the senses.

From when stimuli first excite our senses to the near-miraculous sense organs themselves to the mystery of how our brain interprets senses, Henshaw explains the complex phenomena of how we see, feel, taste, touch, and smell. He takes us through the rich history of sensory perception, dating back to Aristotle’s classification of the five main senses, and helps us understand the science and technology behind sensory research today.

A Tour of the Senses travels beyond our human senses. Henshaw describes artificial sensing technologies and instruments, unusual sensory abilities of the animal kingdom, and techniques for improving, rehabilitating, and even replacing sense organs.

This entertaining introduction to sensory science is a clever mix of research findings and real-world stories that helps us understand the complex processes that turn sensory stimuli into sophisticated brain responses.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781421404363
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	02/20/2012
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

John M. Henshaw is the department chair and Harry H. Rogers Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Tulsa. He is the author of An Equation for Every Occasion: Fifty-Two Formulas and Why They Matter and A Tour of the Senses: How Your Brain Interprets the World.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction 1

Part 1 Stimulus 19

Chapter 1 Electromagnetic Stimuli 21

Chapter 2 Chemical Stimuli 39

Chapter 3 Mechanical Stimuli 48

Chapter 4 The Science of Sensation 67

Part 2 Sensation 75

Chapter 5 Vision 79

Chapter 6 The Chemical Senses 109

Chapter 7 The Mechanical Senses 136

Part 3 Perception 185

Chapter 8 Remembering the Present 189

Chapter 9 Perception and Culture 233

Chapter 10 Perception and Education 245

Bibliography 255

Index 265

Editorial Reviews

A fine guide recommended for health and science general-interest collections.
—Midwest Book Review

When Henshaw told a casual acquaintance that he was writing a book about the senses, the response was 'The five senses?' He was quick to reply that there are more than five, and one goal of this book is to convince the reader that that is the case . . . One of the pluses of this book is its conversational tone and the use of anecdotes and examples.
—Choice

A blend of research findings and real-world anecdotes about people's sensory experiences enlivens this historical view of the science behind perception.
—Science News

This is an interesting book–an ideal gift for young biologists.
—Alan Cadogan, The Biologist

A Tour of the Senses is a fun book, which may be of interest to anyone who's ever wondered how the eye or ear works.
—Matthew R. Longo, American Journal of Human Biology

Well written, entertaining, and informative.
—MAA Reviews

Henshaw has a remarkable ability to explain complex mathematics in a manner accessible to general readers.
—Tulsa World

It is easy to read, and Henshaw has a pleasant style of throwing himself into the action.
—PsycCRITIQUES

From the Publisher

This is an interesting book–an ideal gift for young biologists.

The Biologist - Alan Cadogan

Henshaw has a remarkable ability to explain complex mathematics in a manner accessible to general readers.

Tulsa World

A Tour of the Senses is a fun book, which may be of interest to anyone who's ever wondered how the eye or ear works.

American Journal of Human Biology - Matthew R. Longo

It is easy to read, and Henshaw has a pleasant style of throwing himself into the action.

PsycCRITIQUES

When Henshaw told a casual acquaintance that he was writing a book about the senses, the response was 'The five senses?' He was quick to reply that there are more than five, and one goal of this book is to convince the reader that that is the case . . . One of the pluses of this book is its conversational tone and the use of anecdotes and examples.

Choice

A blend of research findings and real-world anecdotes about people's sensory experiences enlivens this historical view of the science behind perception.

Science News

A fine guide recommended for health and science general-interest collections.

Midwest Book Review

Well written, entertaining, and informative.

MAA Reviews

A Tour of the Senses is a fun book, which may be of interest to anyone who's ever wondered how the eye or ear works.

— Matthew R. Longo

American Journal of Human Biology

This is an interesting book–an ideal gift for young biologists.

— Alan Cadogan

The Biologist