Module 4 - Lesson 4

Question 1

Gestalt

Answer 1

An organized whole; Gestalt psychologists emphasized our tendency to integrate pieces of information into meaningful wholes.

Question 2

Figure-Ground

Answer 2

Organization of the visual field into objects (figure) that stand out from their surroundings (ground)

Question 3

Grouping

Answer 3

Perceptual tendency to organize stimuli into coherent groups; there are 5 different types: proximity, similarity, continuity, connectedness, and closure.

Question 4

Proximity (Grouping)

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Similarity (Grouping)

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

Continuity (Grouping)

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

Connectedness (Grouping)

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

Closure (Grouping)

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

Depth Perception

Answer 9

Utilizes depth cues to perceive the world in three dimensions; allows us to judge distance

Question 10

Visual Cliff

Answer 10

A laboratory device for testing depth perception in infants and young animals

Question 11

Binocular Cues

Answer 11

Depth cues that require the use of two eyes

Question 12

What are the two types of binocular cues? List and define them.

Answer 12

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)

Question 13

Monocular Cues

Answer 13

Depth cues available by either eye alone

Question 14

Name 6 monocular depth cues.

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Phi Phenomenon

Answer 15

An illusion of movement created when two or more adjacent lights blink on and off in quick succession

Question 16

Perceptual Constancy

Answer 16

Perceiving objects as unchanging even as illumination and retinal images change

Question 17

Shape Constancy

Answer 17

The form of familiar objects is perceived as constant even as our retinal image of it changes (eg. an opening door)

Question 18

Size constancy

Answer 18

We perceive objects as having a constant size, even while our distance from them varies

Question 19

Ponzo Illusion

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Lightness Constancy

Answer 20

Also called brightness constancy; we perceive an object as having a constant lightness even while its illumination varies. Perceived lightness depends on relative luminance.

Question 21

Relative Luminance

Answer 21

The amount of light an object reflects relative to its surroundings.

Question 22

Color Constancy

Answer 22

Perceiving familiar objects as having consistent color, even if changing illumination alters the wavelengths reflected by the object.

Question 23

John Locke believed that perception of the world is _______.

Answer 23

Learned

Question 24

Sensory Deprivation

Answer 24

A lack of sensory deprivation, often due to involuntary causes such as blindness or deafness. Can also be evoked in experimental settings.

Question 25

Perceptual Adaptation

Answer 25

In vision, the ability to adjust to an artificially displaced or even inverted visual field

Question 26

Perceptual Set

Answer 26

A mental predisposition to perceive one thing and not another

Question 27

Schemas

Answer 27

Concepts

Question 28

True or False: Emotions do not effect visual perceptions.

Answer 28

False. An example of this is when fatigued, a long walk will appear to be even further

Question 29

Ambiguous Figures

Answer 29

A picture of the subject in which the viewer may perceive two different images (eg. a seal or a donkey)

Question 30

Human Factors Psychologists

Answer 30

A branch of psychology that explores how people and machines interact and how machines and physical environments can be made safe and easy to use.

Question 31

ESP is short for ____________ __________.

Answer 31

Extrasensory Perception

Question 32

Extrasensory Perception (ESP)

Answer 32

The controversial claim that perception can occur apart from sensory input. Umbrella term; includes telepathy, clairvoyance, and precognition.

Question 33

Parapsychology

Answer 33

The study of paranormal phenomena, including ESP and psychokinesis

Question 34

Telepathy

Answer 34

Mind-to-mind communication

Question 35

Clairvoyance

Answer 35

Perceiving remote events

Question 36

Precognition

Answer 36

Perceiving future events

Question 37

Psychokinesis (PK)

Answer 37

Ability to move objects by mental effort alone

Question 38

Has ESP been proven to be true or false in experimental tests?

Answer 38

False. Tested claims of clairvoyance and telepathy have not proven to be any more accurate than that of chance.