CHP.15: THE INFLUENCE OF BIOLOGICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL & SOCIAL FACTORS ON PERCEPTION: TASTE & VISION

Question 1

What are perceptual constancies?

Answer 1

Perceptual constanciesr enable us to maintain a stable perception of a stimulus, although the image on the retina may change
The more familiar we are with the observed object, the more likely it is we will maintain perceptual constancy

Question 2

Define size constancy

Answer 2

A perceptual constancy
Size constancy refers to the fact that we maintain a constant perception of an object’s size, even though the size of the image on the retina alters as the object moves nearer or further from us

Question 3

Define shape constancy

Answer 3

A perceptual constancy
Shape constancy refers to the fact that an object is perceived to maintain it’s known shape despite the changing perspective from which it is observed
Objects that are familiar to us can be accurately interpreted when viewed from any direction

Question 4

What are the gestalt principles of perceptual organisation?

Answer 4

Based on the principle that ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its parts’. In terms of sight, it deals with the tendency for our visual system to perceive what we see as a meaningful whole

Question 5

Define figure-ground organisation

Answer 5

A gestalt principle

Figure (the focus) and ground (surroundings) are separated by an imagined contour (line). The figure ‘owns’ the contour

Question 6

Define camouflage

Answer 6

Based on the gestalt principle of figure-ground organisation
Where the contour of the figure is broken up, meaning that the figure and ground will blend, making the figure harder to see or focus on

Question 7

Define closure

Answer 7

A gestalt principle

Closure occurs when we perceive an object as being whole, despite it actually being incomplete

Question 8

Define similarity

Answer 8

A gestalt principle
Similarity is that when the individual parts of a stimulus pattern are similar (eg- in size, shape or colour), we tend to group them together as a meaningful ‘whole’- a single unit

Question 9

Define proximity

Answer 9

A gestalt principle
Proximity is that when the individual parts of a stimulus pattern are close to each other, we tend to group them together as a meaningful ‘whole’- a single unit

Question 10

What is depth perception?

Answer 10

The ability to accurately judge 3D space and distance, using cues in the environment

Question 11

Why are depth cues vital?

Answer 11

Because we exist in a 3D world but have only 2D images on our retinas with which to judges depth and distance

Question 12

Define retinal disparity

Answer 12

A binocular depth cue
Retinal disparity comes about because our eyes are set 6-7cm apart. When an object is within 20m of a viewer, each eye receives a slightly different image on the retina, as a result of the different angles of view from each eye to the object being observed

Question 13

Define convergence

Answer 13

A binocular depth cue
As an object comes closer to us, our eyes turn inward to keep the object centred on the retina
The brain reads the amount of turning from the tension of the muscles that the move the eyes are use this to make judgements of distance

Question 14

Define accommodation

Answer 14

a monocular depth cue

involves the lens of the eye changing shape so that it can focus light rays onto the retina

Question 15

Name the pictorial depth cues

Answer 15

Linear perspective, interposition, texture gradient, relative size and height in the visual field

Question 16

Define linear perspective

Answer 16

where parallel lines appear to converge (join) in the distance

Question 17

Define interposition

Answer 17

the partial blocking of one object by another (overlapping)

Question 18

Define texture gradient

Answer 18

used to make surfaces in a picture the appearance of distance based on how much detail is present

Question 19

Define Relative size

Answer 19

based on our tendency to perceive the bigger object as being nearer than the smaller object, and our prior knowledge of the size of the object

Question 20

Define height in the visual field

Answer 20

showing depth by portraying objects further away as being closer to the horizon

Question 21

What is Perceptual set?

Answer 21

a predisposition to perceive stimuli in a specific way, interpreting what we see according to certain preconceptions (interpretation)
and a predisposition to attend only to certain features or aspects of our field of view (selection)

Question 22

What are some factors that can influence perceptual set?

Answer 22

previous experience, context, motivation and emotion

Question 23

What are biological factors that influence taste perception?

Answer 23

genetics and age

Question 24

What are psychological factors that influence taste perception?

Answer 24

Packaging and branding

Question 25

What are social factors that influence taste perception?

Answer 25

culture and upbringing

Question 26

What are the types of perception?

Answer 26

analytic: perceiving the whole while focusing on individual parts
synthetic: in which the perception is of purely the whole
fusion: in which the individual components retain their own individuality (analytic) while creating a new perception (synthetic)