Practise explaining how the somatosensory cortex supports touch by processing temperature, pressure, texture and body-position information in behavioural contexts.
Sachio traveled to a prestigious college to audition for a music scholarship. After he arrived, he learned that his
audition had been rescheduled for late in the day. Sachio was required to play several difficult pieces on his
saxophone and interview with the judges. Just before leaving campus, he was offered a full scholarship to the
college.
Explain how each of the following might have contributed to the success of Sachio's visit.
- Resistance phase of general adaptation syndrome
- Implicit memory
- Social facilitation
- Basilar membrane
- Somatosensory cortex
- Intrinsic motivation
Somatosensory cortex
Somatosensory cortex:
Responses must explain the contribution of the somatosensory cortex to Sachio's sense of touch (e.g.,
temperature, body position, pressure, texture) in the context of the visit.
- Score: "Sachio played better because his somatosensory cortex allowed him to feel that his fingers
were in the right place for the notes he needed to play."
- Do NOT score examples referring to an emotional feeling.
Note: Including other senses (hearing, vision, taste, smell) as being governed by the somatosensory cortex is
considered a direct contradiction and will NOT score.
AP R◯ PSYCHOLOGY
2017 SCORING GUIDELINES
Point 6