Chapter 4 Flashcards
Optic array
The structural pattern of light falling on the retina.
Optic flow
The changes in the pattern of light reaching an observer when there is movement of the observer and/or aspects of the environment.
Focus of expansion
The point towards which someone in motion is moving; it does not appear to move.
Invariants
Properties of the optic array that remain constant even though other aspects vary; part of Gibson’s theory.
Affordances
The potential uses of an object which Gibson claimed are perceived directly.
Retinal flow field
The changing patterns of light on the retina produced by movement of the observer relative to the environment as well as by eye and head movements.
Efference copy
An internal copy of a motor command (e.g., to the eyes); it can be used to identify movement within the retinal image that is not due to object movement in the environment.
Tangent point
From a driver’s speed perspective, the point on a road at which the direction of its inside
edge appears to reverse.
Proprioception
An individual’s awareness of the position and orientation of parts of their body.
Limb apraxia
A condition caused by brain damage in which individuals have impaired ability to make skilled goal directed movements towards objects even though they posess the physical ability to perform them.
Mirror neuron system
Neurons that respond to actions whether performed by oneself or someone else; it is claimed these neurons assist in imitating (and understanding) the actions of others.
Apraxia
A condition caused by brain damage in which there is greatly reduced ability to perform purposeful or planned movements in spite of thr absence of muscular damage
Change blindness
Failure to detect various changes (e.g. in objects) in the visual environment.
Inattentional blindness
Failure to detect an unexpected object appearing in the visual environment.
Change blindness blindness
The tendency of observers to overestimate greatly the extent to which they can detect visual changes and so avoid change blindness.
