Scenario 5 – Temperature Sensitivity

As part of your dissertation project you are about to measure some difference thresholds in relation to the somatosensory system. You are interested in establishing whether our sensitivity to temperature varies across the body and you are going to compare thermoception on the hand with that on the foot. Prior to making your measurements, you've been advised to make some predictions as to what the difference thresholds might be, based on previous literature. You have established that that the Weber fraction for thermal sensitivity on the hand is 0.2, and for the foot it is 0.5. You plan to use a heat probe that will produce temperatures of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 degrees.

Calculate the predicted difference thresholds for the hand.

Plot these difference thresholds against stimulus intensity.

Calculate the predicted difference thresholds for the foot

Plot these difference thresholds against stimulus intensity.

Which part of the body is more sensitive to temperature?

Provide a brief explanation for your answer.