Topic 4: perception Flashcards
1
Q
Define perception
A
- Process that allows us to give meaning to info provided by sense = experience world around us
- ‘Our most prominent action control device’
- Done by brain = senses just raw data
2
Q
Define illusion + 3 types
A
- Effect of misinterpreting data
1) Geometric illusion
2) Ambiguous figures
3) Fictitious percepts
3
Q
Describe geometric illusion
A
- Image displayed appears distorted
- E.g. Ponzo illusion of train track = top line looks longer than bottom = exact same size
4
Q
Describe ambiguous figures
A
- Image can be seen in more than 1 way
- E.g. Necker cube + dress test + bunny/duck
- Both images can be seen but brain perceives the image related to cues heard 1st/image more familiar with
5
Q
Describe fictitious
A
- Seeing something not actually there
6
Q
Explain visual constancies
A
- Allow us to see things as remaining the same even though physical is constantly changing
- Shape constancy = ability to perceive shape of an object as constant even if it changes e.g. open door is still rectangular in shape
- Color constancy = ability to perceive color as constant even if it appears to change e.g. in lighting
7
Q
Describe Gestalt rules
A
- Form perception: figure-ground relationship = organize + simplify scene into main figures + surrounding ground they stand out against
- Minds transform stimuli into coherant by following rule:
- Grouping
- Similarities
- Continuity
- Connectedness
8
Q
Define similarity
A
- Things that share visual characteristics such as shape + size + color + texture + orientation = belong together
9
Q
Define continuity
A
- Tendancy of people to organize visual elements into unified wholes
10
Q
Describe depth perception
A
- Ability of eyes + brain to add 3rd dimention to what we see
- Depth cues = allow us to add 3D
DEPTH CUES: - Linear perspective
- 2 heights in plane
- Relative size
- Superimposition/overlap
- Texture gradients
11
Q
Define linear perspective
A
- Parallel lines come together at distant point
12
Q
Define 2 heights in plane
A
- If image is higher to eye = further away than lower object
13
Q
Define relative size
A
- When we expect things to be the same size and they are not = meaning further away
14
Q
Define superimposition
A
- When we can’t see a whole object as something is in front we interpret as it is further away
15
Q
Define texture gradients
A
- We can see the details of objects that are close but details fade further away
16
Q
Explain the constructivist theory
A
- We construct our perception of the world based not only on what is seen + past experiences
- Supported by top-down processing + perceptual set
- Top-down processing = perception what we expect to see
- Perceptual set = perception based on expectations
17
Q
What are the criticisms of the constructivist theory?
A
If perception is based on personal experiences:
- Why do we perceive things the same
- How does it explain a newborn’s ability to perceive
- Why do we fall for illusions over and over if we use experience to build perception
18
Q
Explain the Nativist theory
A
- Perception is result of bottom-up processing = perception is immediate + direct
- We perceive the world as it is not based on expectations
- Role of mind is only analyze info coming through eyes