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Two Point Discrimination Test Essay

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In this lab we apply the technique known as a two point discrimination test. This test will allow us to determine which regions of the skin are best able to discriminate between two simultaneous sensory impulses. According to (Haggard et al. 2007), tactile discrimination depends on the size of the receptive fields located on the somatosensory neurons. However receptive fields for other types of sensations are located elsewhere. For vision we find that the receptive fields are located inside the visual cortex, and for hearing we find receptive fields in the auditory cortex. The ability for the body to discriminate two points depends on how well that area of the body is innervated with neurons; and thus conferring to the size of the …show more content…

Similarly, value marked .25 on the discriminator was a single point. The first person to have the test done was to sit on a bench, lift his sleeve, and close his eyes. We would then conduct this experiment by utilizing a series of pressure points using several different values on the two point discriminator. This was performed while the subject would report how many points he was feeling in that particular area. We began with the finger, first starting with a single point on the discriminator. We then randomly picked points and recorded the values on a table. Next we did the two point discrimination test on the forearm. This part of the method was performed near the elbow, and again we began with a single point on the two point discriminator. Lastly we applied the moving discrimination test with a third subject and one trial. We performed this test near the palm, and recorded the distance after which he felt a difference. Overall three subjects were tested and a total of five trials were recorded, two for the finger, one for the palm and two for the forearm. It is important to note that the subjects were allowed to have a break and take a breather. This gave him a more comfortable feeling prior to being tested. Results were taken immediately after performing the experiment. For subject 1, we began with the finger. In two out of six pressure points applied to subject 1 (finger), he recorded an improper result. Those points happened to be very

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