8.4 Visual perception

Question 1

What is depth perception?

Answer 1

The ability to accurately estimate the distance of objects and therefore perceive the world in 3D

Question 2

What are depth cues?

Answer 2

A source of information from the environment (external cue) or from within the body (internal cue) that aids perception of how far away objects are and therefore depth perception

Question 3

What is the process of visual perception?

Answer 3

Reception -> Transduction -> Transmission -> Interpretation

Question 4

What is inocular depth cues?

Answer 4

The use of both eyes working together in order to provide information to the brain about depth and distance

Question 5

What are the binocular depth cues?

Answer 5

Convergence and retinal disparity

Question 6

What is convergence?

Answer 6

Involves the inward turning of the eyes to focus on nearby objects

Question 7

What is retinal disparity?

Answer 7

Refers to the very slight difference in the location of the images on the retina (due to their slightly different angles of view), which enables us to make judgements about the depth or distance of an object

Question 8

What is monocular depth cues?

Answer 8

The use of only one eye to provide information to the brain about depth and distance

Question 9

What does monocular depth cue involve?

Answer 9

-Accommodation
-Linear perspective
-Interposition
-Texture gradient
-Relative size
-Height in the visual field
-Lights and shadow

Question 10

What is accommodation?

Answer 10

Involving the automatic focusing of the lens in the eye to adjust shape in response to changes in the distance of view from an object

Question 11

What is linear perspective?

Answer 11

Based on the apparent convergence of actual or imagined parallel lines as they recede into the distance

Question 12

What is interposition?

Answer 12

An object which partially covers another is closer than the object it covers and the covered object is further away; also called overlap

Question 13

What is texture gradient?

Answer 13

Refers to the gradual reduction of detail in objects or surfaces as it recedes into the distance, compared to objects that is close with finer details

Question 14

What is relative size?

Answer 14

Involves perceptual tendency to visually perceive the object that produces the largest image on the retina as being closer and the object that produces the smallest image as being further away (when objects are expected to be the same size)

Question 15

What is height in the visual field?

Answer 15

Involves a perceptual tendency
to visually perceive objects located closer to the horizon as being more distant than objects located further from the horizon

Question 16

What is lights and shadows?

Answer 16

2D images can 3D when shaded
with the appropriate patterns
of light and shadow found in
“real objects.”

Question 17

What is gestalt principles?

Answer 17

A way in which we organise the features of a visual stimulus by
grouping them to perceive a whole, complete form

Question 18

What are the gestalt principles?

Answer 18

-Figure-ground
-Closure
-Similarity
-Proximity

Question 19

What is figure-ground?

Answer 19

involves organising visual information by perceptually dividing a visual scene into a ‘figure’, which stands out from the ‘ground’, which is its surroundings

Question 20

What is closure?

Answer 20

Involves a perceptual tendency to mentally ‘close up’, fill in or ignore gaps in a visual image and to perceive objects as complete

Question 21

What is similarity?

Answer 21

Involves a tendency to perceive parts of a visual image that have similar features, such as size, shape, texture or colour, as belonging together in a unit, group or ‘whole’

Question 22

What is proximity?

Answer 22

involves a tendency to perceive parts of a
visual image which are positioned close together as belonging together in a group; also called
nearness

Question 23

What is perceptual set?

Answer 23

A temporary readiness to perceive something in accordance with expectations of what it is

Question 24

What factors influence perceptual set?

Answer 24

-Context
-Motivation
-Past experience
-Memory
-Culture

Question 25

What is context?

Answer 25

The setting, situation or environment in which an event occurs

Question 26

What is motivation?

Answer 26

Refers to processes which activate and sustain purposeful or goal
directed behaviour

Question 27

What is past experience?

Answer 27

Personal experiences throughout an individual’s life, including everything that is learned intentionally and unintentionally through experience

Question 28

What is memory?

Answer 28

When perception occurs when the stimulus is matched against information in memory