In sensory processing theory, which domain refers to the accurate interpretation of sensory cues in the environment?

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Discrimination refers to the ability to interpret sensory information accurately by noticing subtle differences among stimuli and understanding what each cue means in a given context. This quality lets a child distinguish between similar sensory inputs so responses fit the environment. For example, tactile discrimination lets someone tell apart rough versus smooth textures or identify objects by touch; auditory discrimination helps differentiate a particular sound from background noise; visual discrimination assists in noticing differences in shapes, sizes, or colors that matter for safe navigation. When discrimination is working well, the brain labels sensory input correctly and the person responds appropriately to what's happening around them. Other domains focus on how the nervous system modulates the intensity and timing of responses (modulation), how we plan and execute movements in new tasks (praxis), or how we regulate arousal to stay organized (regulation).