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What is the process of receiving stimulus energies and transforming them into neural energy called?

  1. Perception

  2. Sensation

  3. Memory

  4. Attention

The correct answer is: Sensation

The process of receiving stimulus energies and transforming them into neural energy is known as sensation. Sensation involves the activation of sensory receptors, which detect stimuli from the environment, such as light, sound, and touch. This initial stage of processing is critical because it lays the foundation for perception, which is the subsequent interpretation of those sensory signals. While perception involves organizing and making sense of the incoming information, it is sensation that focuses on the raw data and the physiological processes that convert external stimuli into signals the brain can process. In contrast, memory refers to the storage and retrieval of information, while attention pertains to the cognitive process of selecting which stimuli to focus on in a given moment. Both memory and attention play roles in how we interact with sensations, but they are distinct processes that occur after sensation.