Module 4 - Lesson 4 Flashcards
Perception
Gestalt
An organized whole; Gestalt psychologists emphasized our tendency to integrate pieces of information into meaningful wholes.
Figure-Ground
Organization of the visual field into objects (figure) that stand out from their surroundings (ground)
Grouping
Perceptual tendency to organize stimuli into coherent groups; there are 5 different types: proximity, similarity, continuity, connectedness, and closure.
Proximity (Grouping)
We group nearby figures together. For example, if there were 2 groups of 3 sticks, we would see 2 sets of 3 sticks, not 6 separate sticks.
Similarity (Grouping)
We group similar figures together. In a vertical line of triangles paralleled by a line of squares, we will not see rows of varying shapes, but columns of similar shapes.
Continuity (Grouping)
We perceive smooth, continuous patterns rather than discontinuous ones. If you were to graph a parabola, you would see the sloping U-shape of the parabola and the two axis of the graph individually and without confusing them.
Connectedness (Grouping)
If a figure is connected to another via a line or other shape, we group them into being a single object. If two circles were to be linked by a line three separate times, we would perceive 3 separate objects.
Closure (Grouping)
We fill in gaps to create a complete, whole object. In open-ended shapes, our brain can fill in the blank area with a shape to explain why the other shapes are open-ended and incomplete.
Depth Perception
Utilizes depth cues to perceive the world in three dimensions; allows us to judge distance
Visual Cliff
A laboratory device for testing depth perception in infants and young animals
Binocular Cues
Depth cues that require the use of two eyes
What are the two types of binocular cues? List and define them.
Retinal Disparity - compares the images on the retinas in the two eyes to compute distance
Convergence - the position and tension in your eyes when looking at something closer or further (eg. eyes are angled more inwards when looking at something closer)
Monocular Cues
Depth cues available by either eye alone
Name 6 monocular depth cues.
Relative height - objects higher in field of vision appear further away.
Relative size - if two objects are the same size, the one that appears smaller is further away
Interposition - what is blocking what?
Linear Perspective - parallel lines appear to converge with distance; the more they converge, the further they are
Light and Shadow - nearby objects reflect more light to our eyes
Relative Motion - when moving, objects in front of your fixation point appear to move, and those behind the focal point appear to move with you
Phi Phenomenon
An illusion of movement created when two or more adjacent lights blink on and off in quick succession
Perceptual Constancy
Perceiving objects as unchanging even as illumination and retinal images change
Shape Constancy
The form of familiar objects is perceived as constant even as our retinal image of it changes (eg. an opening door)
Size constancy
We perceive objects as having a constant size, even while our distance from them varies
Ponzo Illusion
Two identical images that are the same size are reflected onto our retinas, but experience tells us that a more distant object can create the same shape on our retinas only if it is larger
Lightness Constancy
Also called brightness constancy; we perceive an object as having a constant lightness even while its illumination varies. Perceived lightness depends on relative luminance.
Relative Luminance
The amount of light an object reflects relative to its surroundings.
Color Constancy
Perceiving familiar objects as having consistent color, even if changing illumination alters the wavelengths reflected by the object.
John Locke believed that perception of the world is _______.
Learned
Sensory Deprivation
A lack of sensory deprivation, often due to involuntary causes such as blindness or deafness. Can also be evoked in experimental settings.
