Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement (Jan 2001)
Les caractéristiques d'une réponse sensorielle
Abstract
Characteristics of sensory responses. Even though sensory responses are diverse and occur in different complex environments, it is possible to derive some characteristics common to all responses: 1) For a given subject the sensory response is unusual and abnormal because two conditions must be respected: the individuality of the response and the blind presentation of the samples. 2) When it hasn't been learned, the sensory response is, more or less, specific to the subject who gives the response. 3) The sensory response is not only a mechanical translation of events produced at the receptor level; it is an event which is largely cognitive. 4) The sensory response is changeable and unstable in time because of the nature of the nervous system and the conditions of taking the samples. 5) The sensory response is often obtained by means of verbal expression and the words may imperfectly translate the perception. Despite these characteristics, the sensory response is irreplaceable; it can be reliable when the operator who obtains it controls the experiment with care.
