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Survey of the Senses > Midterm 3 - Topic 9 > Flashcards

Midterm 3 - Topic 9 Flashcards

1
Q

Depth perception

A

Refers to our ability to see objects as three-dimensional

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2
Q

What is depth perception a special case of?

A

Distance perception, which is a special case of visual space perception

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3
Q

What is the retinal input? Explain.

A

2-D
It encodes visual scenes only in an up-down, left-right fashion
Straight lines (Euclidean coordinates) become curves when on the retina
Yet, we seem to interpret even 2-D drawings as 3-D automatically

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4
Q

Why does the apparent automaticity of the 3D interpretation of 2D drawings arise from?

A

The operation of a large # of depth cues

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5
Q

What is proper depth perception crucial in?

A

The context of the principle of equivalent configurations

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6
Q

2 types of cues for depth perception

A

Binocular cues (because we have 2 eyes)
Monocular cues (can be used with only one eye)

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7
Q

10 examples of monocular cues to depth

A

Occlusion (aka interposition)
Familiar size and size cues
Texture gradient
Angle of regard
Atmospheric or aerial perspective
Linear perspective
Distance relative to the horizon
Shading
Motion parallax (require movement)
Accommodation (kinesthetic)

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8
Q

Which of the monocular cues to depth are pictorial cues?

A

Occlusion (aka interposition)
Familiar size and size cues
Texture gradient
Atmospheric or aerial perspective
Linear perspective
Distance relative to the horizon
Shading

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9
Q

Occlusion

A

Whatever is in front is closer

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10
Q

Size cues

A

The changing size of familiar objects is interpreted as reflecting changes in relative distance

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11
Q

Distance and retinal size

A

For a given object size, visual angle decreases with increasing distance

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12
Q

Texture gradient

A

Textured elements in objects become smaller and more tightly packed with distance

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13
Q

Angle of regard

A

When an object is close to us and above or below our line of sight, the angle of regard is more acute than when it is far from us

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14
Q

Aerial or atmospheric perspective

A

As there are more water molecules in the air between us and far objects, our view becomes “fuzzier” with distance

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15
Q

Linear perspective

A

Creates the illusion of depth by using parallel lines receding toward a vanishing point

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16
Q

Relative distance to horizon

A

The closer an object is to the horizon line, the farther away it appears

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17
Q

Shading

A

Careful application of shading turns a 2D object into a 3D one

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18
Q

Motion parallax

A

Objects between us and our fixation point move quickly and in the direction opposite to our movement; objects past our fixation point move slowly and in the same direction as us

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19
Q

Accommodation

A

Muscular (kinesthetic) information is used to interpret distance

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20
Q

Give an example of monocular cues to depth trumping binocular cues when close to one eye

A

Ames Window

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21
Q

2 binocular cues to depth

A

Convergence
Binocular disparity

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22
Q

Convergence

A

Angle of convergence is more acute for near than for far objects (not that useful past 2 meters)

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23
Q

Binocular disparity

A

Due to the fact that each eye has a slightly different perspective because of the distance that separates them (about 6.25 cm - from pupil to pupil)
The amount of disparity decreases with distance (again, not that useful beyond 2 metres)

24
Q

The Horopter

A

The distance at which you fixate produces an imaginary circle (the Vieth-Muller circle) and the surface of this circle is called the horopter
Objects that fall on the horopter also fall on corresponding points on the retina of each eye. These objects show no disparity

25
Objects that do not fall on the horopter...
Also fall on non-corresponding points on the retina of each eye These objects show disparity They produce diplopia (double vision)
26
The greater the diplopia...
The further away the object is from the horopter Distance information from the amount of diploplia
27
What do objects between us and the horopter cause?
Crossed disparity Left double image seen by right eye; right double image seen by left eye
28
What do objects beyond the horopter cause?
Uncrossed disparity Left double image seen by left eye; right double image seen by right eye
29
Why should we care about cues to depth?
Knowing about them and understanding them will make you better at using them It could help you avoid accidents!
30
Three major approaches to space perception
Empiricist position Gibsonian (direct perception) position Computational approach
31
Empiricist position of space perception
Perceptual abilities are learned from sensory experiences Berkeley (1709): We come to experience distance by learning and experience We learn to associate various cues for distance with kinesthetic info about distance
32
What does the empiricist position to space perception say about retinal image?
The retinal image alone is not sufficient to account for depth perception, since it is limited to two dimensions Only with the substantial info learned through experience can we see the world with depth
33
Name one line of evidence in support for the empiricist position
The visual cliff Kids can perceive depth after crawling for around one month, younger babies do not
34
What is the more recent version of the empiricist approach for space perception
Constructive theory
35
Constructive theory
The stimuli usually are ambiguous and the perceiver must work as a problem solver to interpret them Distance perception is a problem solving situation and people use their experience with objects at different distances to solve it
36
Gibsonian position to space perception
The visual stimulus that reaches the retina is full of info The stimulus contains enough information to allow for correct perception The only cue to depth relevant to distance perception is texture gradient
37
Gibson's Ground Theory
Distance perception depends upon info provided by surfaces (textures) in the environment Only relevant cue: Texture gradient
38
What kind of approach is Gibson's theory?
Direct perception approach
39
How can one reconcile the Empiricist position and Gibson's position?
Objects in natural conditions contain rich information Humans are thinking perceivers These two theories explain depth perception better when seen as complementary Use richness of information in stimuli to solve the problem of perception
40
Computational approach to space perception
This approach shares many points with the direct perception position and the constructivist approach Constructivist: We need some kind of knowledge to perceive properly Direct perception: Believes in the richness of the visual input
41
What does the computational approach to space perception claim?
The final percept is due to the combined operation of: Visual input Input from experience Input from several different "modules"
42
Size perception
Since two objects of the same size have a retinal image of varying size with distance, we must take distance into account to perceive size
43
Size constancy
Depth cues allow us to determine distance and provide info required for size perception This allows for size constancy: An object appears to stay the same size despite changes in its retinal size (with distance)
44
What does the algorithm theory assert?
Our perceptual system takes distance info into account to allow size constancy
45
What the relational theory claim?
That our perceptual system uses the size relation among objects on the same plane to allow size constancy
46
Is size constancy better explained by algorithm or relational theory?
Data that purport to test one theory can often be explained as easily with the other No definite conclusions at this point
47
What are illusions useful for?
To help determine how the visual system functions
48
Give examples of illusions discussed in class
Muller-Lyer Sander Ponzo Horizontal-vertical Moon Ames Room
49
Explain the Muller-Lyer and Ponzo illusions
Propensity to perceive objects as 3D Misapplied constancy: Misled by cues that suggest depth
50
Distance and retinal size and illusions
Since we perceive an object as larger when it produces the same retinal angle as another object
51
moon illusion relational explanation
Relational: More relational information at the horizon that at the zenith Moon bigger than relational objects at horizon Relational info affects size perception: Ebbinghaus illusion
52
Relational theory for the moon illusion
Emmert's Law
53
Emmert's Law
(For a given retinal size) the perceived linear size of an object increases as its perceived distance from the observer increases Can be demonstrated with an afterimage: With a fixed retinal size, changing distance makes the afterimage glow
54
Algorithm theory for the moon illusion
Distance relative to the horizon depth cue Moon judged as closer at the zenith than at the horizon Mental sky-dome: The sky is perceived as flattened at the zenith
55
Moon illusion explanation
No agreement to this day on THE explanation for the moon illusion
56
Why should we care about size illusions and their explanations
Knowing about them helps you understand how we perceive depth

Survey of the Senses (13 decks)

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