U2 AOS1 Perception Flashcards
Define sensation
Our sense organs and receptors detect and respond to sensory information (stimuli)
What are the three stage of sensation
Reception
Transduction
Transmission
Stages Of Sensation
Reception
Detecting and responding to incoming sensory information within the receptive fields
Stages Of Sensation
Transduction
Transduction is the process that converts energy into chemical energy that can travel along the neurons as action potentials
Stages Of Sensation
Transmission
Sending the sensory information to the correct area of the brain via the thalamus
Once in the brain they can be received and processed - sensory information is sent to the correct area of the brain via the thalamus
Define perception
The process where we give meaning to sensory information.
What are the three stages of perception
Selection
Organisation
Interpretation
Stages of Perception
Selection
We select the stimuli in the environment important to us and pay attention to those
Stages of Perception
Organisation
Information is reorganised into a way the brain can make sense of it
Stages of Perception
Interpretation
Stimuli is given personal meaning according to the person’s values, past experience, etc
List the characteristics of Rods
Rods:
- 125,000,000 in each eye
- black and white vision
- low light vision
- low visual acuity
- peripheral vision
- most sensitive to light of approx. 500nm wavelength
List the characteristics of Cones
Cones:
- middle of retina
- vision of detail
- colour vision
- require high levels of light
What are the five basic tastes?
- sweet
- sour
- salty
- bitter
- umami
Where are the more sensitive areas of taste on the tongue for the basic tastes
bitter - back (towards throat) salty - sides closer to back sour - sides closer to front sweet - front centre umami - centre
What are Visual Perception Principles
‘rules’ that we apply to visual information to assist our organisation and interpretation of the information in meaningful and consistent ways.
What are the four categories that fall under the Visual Perception Principles
- gestalt principles
- depth cues
- perceptual set
- perceptual constancies
List the four Gestalt principles
- figure ground organisation
- closure
- proximity
- similarity
Gestalt Principles
Figure Ground Organisation
This is when there is a figure, the thing being focused on, and a ground, the things surroundings, are being separated by contour which is owned by the figure.
Gestalt Principles
Closure
When we perceive an object as being whole, despite it actually being incomplete.
Gestalt Principles
Proximity
When the individual parts of a stimulus pattern are close to each other.
Gestalt Principles
Similarity
When the individual parts of a stimulus pattern are similar ( in size, shape or colour)
Describe Depth Perception
Depth Perception is the ability to accurately estimate the distance of objects and therefore perceive the world in three dimensions.
Describe Depth Cues
Depth Cues are sources of information from the environment (external cues) and from within the body (internal cues) that help us to perceive how far objects are therefore to perceive depth.
- binocular
- monocular
What are the binocular depth cues
- convergence
- retinal disparity
What are the monocular depth cues
- accomodation
- pictorial cues
What are the subcategories of pictorial cues
- linear perspective
- interposition
- texture gradient
- relative size
- height in the visual field
Binocular Depth Cues
Convergence
Convergence involves the brain detecting and interpreting depth or distance from tension in the eye muscles
When objects are close to our eyes, they draw inwards to focus
Binocular Depth Cues
Retinal Disparity
Our retina receives two different visual images because each eye is 6-7 cm apart.
Depth is perceived as the two images are combined (fused together) and any disparity in the images gives information about depth
As you move further away from the object the differences in the two images cast on the retina decreases
Monocular Depth Cues
Accomodation
The lens bulges for close images or flattens for far away images to accommodate the size of an object to fit onto the retina (accommodates)
Monocular Depth Cues
Pictorial Cues
Used by artists to create depth and distance on two-dimensional objects
Monocular Depth Cues
Pictorial Cues
Linear Perspective
Convergence of parallel lines as they disappear into the distance
Objects appear to ‘meet’ or vanish into the horizon
Monocular Depth Cues
Pictorial Cues
Interposition
Aka ‘overlap’ one object partially blocks or covers another and the blocked object is perceived as further away
Monocular Depth Cues
Pictorial Cues
Texture Gradient
The gradual diminishing of detail that occurs in surfaces as they recede into the distance.
Objects in which we can detect fine detail are perceived to be closer than objects that do not have fine detail.
Monocular Depth Cues
Pictorial Cues
Relative Size
Refers to the tendency to visually perceive the object that produces the largest image on the retina as being closest.
Objects that produce smaller images are perceived to be farther away.
Monocular Depth Cues
Pictorial Cues
Height In The Visual Field
Refers to the location of objects in the visual field with respect to their proximity to the horizon.
Objects are perceived as being further away as they move towards the horizon.
Define Perceptual Set
The predisposition, or readiness, to perceive stimuli in accordance with expectations.
What can perceptual set lead to
Enhance visual perception by correctly anticipating a stimulus hence interpreting it more quickly
Lead to misinterpretation of a stimulus by incorrect anticipation or expectation
Perceptual set can be influenced by:
- context
- past experience
- motivation
- emotional state
- cultural factors
Perceptual set
Context
The setting in which the stimulus occurs.
Perceptual Set
Past Experience
The personal experiences we have experienced throughout our lives.
Perceptual Set
Motivation
Relates to activating behaviour that is directed towards achieving a particular goal.
Perceptual Set
Emotional State
How we are feeling can influence the way in which we perceive visual information
Describe Perceptual Constancies
This refers to the tendency to perceive a visual stimulus as unchanging, despite any changes that occur to the image cast on the retina.
List the three aspects of visual constancy
- size constancy
- shape constancy
- orientation constancy
Describe Size Constancy
Understanding that an object remains the same size even though the size of the image cast on retina changes.
Describe Shape Constancy
That even though a shape changes, the object remains the same.
Describe Orientation Constancy
To visually perceive the true orientation of an object even though the retinal image may be on an angle.
Describe Perceptual Distortion
A perceptual distortion involves an inconsistency, or ‘mismatch’, between a perceptual experience and physical reality.
Define a visual illusion
A visual illusion is a misinterpretation of real sensory information
What is Synaesthesia
Stimulation of one sense produces an unusual experience in another sense
