The Visual System: Perceptual Processes

Question 1

What is a reversible figure?

Answer 1

reversible figure, a drawing that is compatible with
two different interpretations that can shift back and forth.

Question 2

What is a perceptual set?

Answer 2

perceptual set—a readiness to perceive a stimulus in a particular way.

Question 3

What is feature analysis?

Answer 3

Feature analysis is the process of detecting specific elements in visual input and assembling them into a more complex form.

Question 4

What is bottom up processing?

Answer 4

bottom-up processing, a progression
from individual elements to the whole

Question 5

What is top-down processing?

Answer 5

top-down processing, a progression from the whole
to the elements

Question 6

What is the phi phenomenon?

Answer 6

The phi phenomenon is
the illusion of movement created by presenting visual stimuli in rapid succession.

Question 7

Describe the gestalt principle of proximity

Answer 7

Things that are near one another seem to belong together.

Question 8

Describe the gestalt principle of closure

Answer 8

People often group elements to create a sense of closure, or completeness.
Thus, you may “complete” figures that actually have gaps in them.

Question 9

Describe the gestalt principle of similarity

Answer 9

People also tend to group stimuli that are similar.

Question 10

Describe the gestalt principle of similarity

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Describe the gestalt principle of continuity

Answer 11

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,

Question 12

List the 5 gestalt principles

Answer 12

1. Proximity
2. Closure
3. Similarity
4. Simplicity
5. Continuity

Question 13

What is the a perceptual hypothesis?

Answer 13

perceptual hypothesis is an inference
about what form could be responsible for a pattern of sensory stimulation.

Question 14

What is depth perception?

Answer 14

Depth perception involves interpretation of visual
cues that indicate how near or far away objects are.

Question 15

What are binocular depth cues?

Answer 15

Binocular depth cues are clues about distance based on the differing views of the two eyes.

Question 16

What is retinal disparity?

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

What are monocular depth cues?

Answer 17

Monocular depth cues are clues about distance based on the image in either eye alone.

Question 18

List the 6 pictorial depth cues.

Answer 18

1. Linear perspective
2. Texture gradient
3. Interposition
4. Relative size
5. Height in plane
6. Light and shadow

Question 19

Explain the pictorial depth cue of linear perspective.

Answer 19

Parallel lines that run away from the viewer seem to get closer together.

Question 20

Explain the pictorial depth cue of texture gradient

Answer 20

As distance increases, a texture
gradually becomes denser and less distinct.

Question 21

Explain the pictorial depth cue of interposition

Answer 21

The shapes of near objects overlap or
mask those of more distant ones.

Question 22

Explain the pictorial depth cue of relative size

Answer 22

If separate objects are expected to be
of the same size, the larger ones are seen as closer.

Question 23

Explain the pictorial depth cue of height in plane

Answer 23

Near objects are low in the visual field;
more distant ones are higher up.

Question 24

Explain the pictorial depth cue of light and shadow

Answer 24

Patterns of light and dark suggest
shadows that can create an impression of threedimensional
forms.

Question 25

What are pictorial depth cues?

Answer 25

pictorial depth cues—cues about distance that can be given in a flat picture.

Question 26

What is a perceptual constancy?

Answer 26

A perceptual constancy is a tendency to experience a stable perception in
the face of continually changing sensory input.

Question 27

What does a visual illusion involve?

Answer 27

A visual illusion involves an apparently inexplicable discrepancy between the appearance of a visual stimulus and its physical reality.