The Five Senses and Beyond : The Encyclopedia of Perception

How do our human senses work and help us interact with our surroundings, and what happens when these senses malfunction or are impaired? This book provides in-depth information that answers these questions and more. The Five Senses and Beyond: The Encyclopedia of Perception supplies students and general readers with accurate, up-to-date information about the human senses. It explains the "big five" senses in detail as well as lesser-known but important senses-perceptions such as balance, kinesthesia, temperature, and pain. After a helpful introduction, this reference work provides A-to-Z, cross-referenced entries on hundreds of topics in the realm of human perception that allow students to find and digest information quickly and draw connections between related topics. Through the use of activity sidebars, readers will also be able to explore the workings of the senses firsthand, lending an element of interactivity to this accessible encyclopedia. A convenient end-of-volume glossary provides definitions of unfamiliar terms. Provides an introductory essay that gives readers a firm conceptual framework on the subject of human senses before delving into greater detail Includes further readings sections and a comprehensive bibliography that serve readers looking to research the topic more in depth Supports study of the anatomy of sense organs, particularly the eye and ear, that are frequently studied in courses in biology; of perception (and its shortcomings) as addressed as part of psychology classes; and of sensory impairments, such as blindness and deafness, which are topics commonly discussed in health classes