The Visual System: Perceptual Processes Flashcards
What is a reversible figure?
reversible figure, a drawing that is compatible with
two different interpretations that can shift back and forth.
What is a perceptual set?
perceptual set—a readiness to perceive a stimulus in a particular way.
What is feature analysis?
Feature analysis is the process of detecting specific elements in visual input and assembling them into a more complex form.
What is bottom up processing?
bottom-up processing, a progression
from individual elements to the whole
What is top-down processing?
top-down processing, a progression from the whole
to the elements
What is the phi phenomenon?
The phi phenomenon is
the illusion of movement created by presenting visual stimuli in rapid succession.
Describe the gestalt principle of proximity
Things that are near one another seem to belong together.
Describe the gestalt principle of closure
People often group elements to create a sense of closure, or completeness.
Thus, you may “complete” figures that actually have gaps in them.
Describe the gestalt principle of similarity
People also tend to group stimuli that are similar.
Describe the gestalt principle of similarity
The Gestaltists’ most general principle was the law of Pragnanz, which
translates from German as “good form.” The idea is that people tend to group elements that combine to form a good figure. This principle is somewhat vague in that it’s often to spell out what makes a figure “good.” Some theorists maintain that goodness is largely a matter of simplicity, asserting that people tend to organize forms in the simplest way possible
Describe the gestalt principle of continuity
The principle of continuity reflects people’s tendency to follow in whatever
direction they’ve been led. Thus, people tend to connect points that result in straight or gently curved lines that create “smooth” paths,
List the 5 gestalt principles
- Proximity
- Closure
- Similarity
- Simplicity
- Continuity
What is the a perceptual hypothesis?
perceptual hypothesis is an inference
about what form could be responsible for a pattern of sensory stimulation.
What is depth perception?
Depth perception involves interpretation of visual
cues that indicate how near or far away objects are.
What are binocular depth cues?
Binocular depth cues are clues about distance based on the differing views of the two eyes.
What is retinal disparity?
retinal disparity, which refers to the fact that
objects within 25 feet project images to slightly different locations on the right and
left retinas, so the right and left eyes see slightly different views of the object.
What are monocular depth cues?
Monocular depth cues are clues about distance based on the image in either eye alone.
List the 6 pictorial depth cues.
- Linear perspective
- Texture gradient
- Interposition
- Relative size
- Height in plane
- Light and shadow
Explain the pictorial depth cue of linear perspective.
Parallel lines that run away from the viewer seem to get closer together.
Explain the pictorial depth cue of texture gradient
As distance increases, a texture
gradually becomes denser and less distinct.
Explain the pictorial depth cue of interposition
The shapes of near objects overlap or
mask those of more distant ones.
Explain the pictorial depth cue of relative size
If separate objects are expected to be
of the same size, the larger ones are seen as closer.
Explain the pictorial depth cue of height in plane
Near objects are low in the visual field;
more distant ones are higher up.
Explain the pictorial depth cue of light and shadow
Patterns of light and dark suggest
shadows that can create an impression of threedimensional
forms.
What are pictorial depth cues?
pictorial depth cues—cues about distance that can be given in a flat picture.
What is a perceptual constancy?
A perceptual constancy is a tendency to experience a stable perception in
the face of continually changing sensory input.
What does a visual illusion involve?
A visual illusion involves an apparently inexplicable discrepancy between the appearance of a visual stimulus and its physical reality.
