psy exam 2 chapter 4 Flashcards
Sensation
Initial process of detecting and encoding outside stimuli. Involved stimulation of sensory receptors in transmission of information to the brain
Perception
Process of organizing and interpreting sensory information, involved high-order cognitive processes that go beyond just sensory input.
Light
Electromagnetic energy that travels in waves.
Light Wavelength
Determines the perceived color of a light wave
Retina
(Eye Structure)
Light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye. Contains photoreceptor cells (rods and cones) that convert light into neural signals
Rods
(Eye Structure)
Photoreceptors that are highly sensitive to light and enable vision in low-light conditions. Responsible for peripheral vision and do not contribute to color vision.
Cones
(Eye Structure)
Photoreceptors that are less sensitive to light but enable color vision and high visual acuity. Concentrated in the fovea.
Fovea
(Eye Structure)
Small central region of the retina that contains a high density of cones and is responsible for sharp, detailed vision.
Blind Spot
(Eye Structure)
The point where the optic nerve exits the eye, creating a small area in the visual field where there are no photoreceptors, thus no vision.
Optic Chiasm
(Eye Structure)
The point at which the optic nerves from each eye cross over, allowing visual information from both eyes to be processed in both hemispheres of the brain
Neural Wiring / Neural Pathways in vision
Visual info from the right is processed in the left hemisphere of the brain and vice versa
Thalamus
Plays a crucial role in relaying sensory information, including visual information, to the appropriate areas of the cortex
Feature Detectors
Specialized neurons in the visual cortex that respond to specific features of visual stimulus (lines, edges, angles, or movement). Play a key role in the recognition and perception of objects and scenes.
Trichromatic Theory
Explains color vision at the level of the cones. Says there are three types of cones in the retina, each sensitive toa difference range of wavelengths (short, medium, and long)(blue, green, and red). Combined, these cones allow us to perceive a wide range of colors. (both theories are necessary)
Opponent-Process Theory
Explains color vision at the higher levels of visual processing. Says color vision is based on opposing pairs of color receptors (red-green,blue-yellow,black-white). Activity of one member of the pair inhibits activity of the other. This theory explains afterimages and color blindness. (both theories are necessary)
Reversible figures
Ambiguous images that can be perceived in multiple ways, showing the active role of the perceiver in interpreting sensory information
Perceptual Sets
Mental predispositions or expectations that influence how we perceive stimuli. Our past experiences and thoughts can shape our future interpretation of information
Feature Analysis
Process of breaking down complex objects into simpler features or components for recognition.
Top-Down Processing
Perception that is guide by higher-level cognitive processes, such as expectation, knowledge, and context
Bottom-Up processing
Perception that is driven by the sensory input itself, starting with the analysis of basic features and building up to a more complex representation.
Proximity
(Gestalt Principle) Group nearby objects together
Similarity
(Gestalt Principle) Group similar objects together
Continuity
(Gestalt Principle) We perceive smooth, continuous patterns rather than discontinuous ones
Closure
(Gestalt Principle) We tend to fill in gaps to create complete objects
Connectedness
(Gestalt Principle) We perceive elements that are connected as a single unit
Figure-Ground
(Gestalt Principle) We organize visual information into a figure (the object of interest) and a ground (the background)
Binocular Cues
Depth cues that rely on the use of both eyes
Retinal Disparity (Binocular cues)
Slight difference in the images projected onto each retina, which the brain uses to compute depth
Convergence (Binocular cues)
Inward turning of the eyes when focusing on a nearby object, which provides information about the objects distance.
Monocular Cues
Depth cues that can be perceived with one eye alone.
Relative Size (Monocular Cues)
Smaller objects are perceived as farther away
Interposition (Monocular Cues)
If one object partially blocks another, the blocked object is perceived as farther away
Linear Perspective (Monocular Cues)
Parallel Lines appear to converge in the distance
Texture Gradient (Monocular Cues)
Texture of objects becomes less detailed and denser as they recede into the distance
Motion Parallax (Monocular Cues)
Closer objects appear to move faster than farther objects when the observer is in motion
Perceptual Constancy
The tendency to perceive objects as stable and unchanging despite changes in their sensory information
Size Constancy (Perceptual Constancy)
Perceived size of an object remains constant even when its retinal image changes due to distance
Shape Constancy (Perceptual Constancy)
Perceived shape of an object remains constant even when its reinal image changes due to viewing angle
Brightness Constancy (Perceptual Constancy)
Perceived brightness of an object remains constant even when the illumination changes
Color Constancy (Perceptual Constancy)
Perceived color of an object remains constant even when the lighting conditions change
Optical Illusions
Misperceptions of visual stimuli that demonstrate the ways in which our vision system can be tricked. They provide insights into the processes involved in perception.
Muller-Lyer Illusion
A classic illusion where two lines of equal length appear to be different lengths due to the presence of inward or outward pointing fins at their ends. Susceptibility of the illusion varies across cultures, people from cultures with less square and rectangular buildings/furniture tend to be less susceptible. Shows the culture influence perception.
Pictorial Depth Cues
Techniques that artists use to create a sense of three dimensionality on a flat surface. (Linear perspective, relative size, ect…)
M.C. Escher
His art played with perceptual ambiguity, challenging our understanding of reality through impossible figures.
Contrast Effects
Shows that we judge things not in isolation but in relativity to other things. This can be exploited through things like the door-in-the-face technique.
Door-In-The-Face technique
Uses contrast effects by starting with an outrageous request, then scaling back. The scaled back version, but comparison, seems much more reasonable.
Comparators
The things we compare against. They greatly influence our judgments. Manipulating these can dramatically alter our perceptions.
