Editing Perception (section)

== Physiology ==
{{main|Sensory system}}A ''sensory system'' is a part of the nervous system responsible for processing [[Sense|sensory]] information. A sensory system consists of [[sensory receptor]]s, [[neural pathway]]s, and parts of the brain involved in sensory perception. Commonly recognized sensory systems are those for [[Vision (sense)|vision]], [[Hearing (sense)|hearing]], [[somatic sensation]] (touch), [[taste]] and [[olfaction]] (smell), as listed above. It has been suggested that the immune system is an overlooked sensory modality.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Bedford|first=F. L.|author-link=Felice Bedford|year=2011|title=The missing sensory modality: the immune system|journal=Perception|volume=40|issue=10|pages=1265–1267|doi=10.1068/p7119|pmid=22308900|s2cid=9546850}}</ref> In short, senses are [[transducers]] from the physical world to the realm of the mind.

The [[receptive field]] is the specific part of the world to which a receptor organ and receptor cells respond. For instance, the part of the world an eye can see, is its receptive field; the light that each [[Rod cell|rod]] or [[Cone cell|cone]] can see, is its receptive field.<ref>Kolb & Whishaw: ''Fundamentals of Human Neuropsychology'' (2003)</ref> Receptive fields have been identified for the [[visual system]], [[auditory system]] and [[somatosensory system]], so far. Research attention is currently focused not only on external perception processes, but also to "[[interoception]]", considered as the process of receiving, accessing and appraising internal bodily signals. Maintaining desired physiological states is critical for an organism's well-being and survival. Interoception is an iterative process, requiring the interplay between perception of body states and awareness of these states to generate proper self-regulation. Afferent sensory signals continuously interact with higher order cognitive representations of goals, history, and environment, shaping emotional experience and motivating regulatory behavior.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Farb N.|author2=Daubenmier J.|author3=Price C. J.|author4=Gard T.|author5=Kerr C.|author6=Dunn B. D.|author7=Mehling W. E.|year=2015|title=Interoception, contemplative practice, and health|journal=Frontiers in Psychology|volume=6|page=763|doi=10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00763|pmc=4460802|pmid=26106345|doi-access=free}}</ref>