Unit 1.8 and 1.9 Selective Adaptation and Development of Vision Flashcards
What is selective adaptation?
Selective adaptation is the diminishing response of a sense organ to a sustained stimulus, indicating that neurons become less responsive when exposed to a specific stimulus over time.
How does the psychologist’s electrode method relate to selective adaptation?
The psychologist’s electrode method involves recording the response of neurons to specific stimuli to determine how adaptation affects their sensitivity, particularly in the context of orientation and spatial frequency.
What is the tilt aftereffect?
The tilt aftereffect is a perceptual illusion of tilt that occurs after adapting to a pattern of a given orientation, supporting the idea that the visual system contains neurons selective for different orientations.
How do striate cells demonstrate selective adaptation?
Striate cells are sensitive to the orientation of lines. When exposed to high-contrast stripes of a particular orientation for several seconds, their response diminishes, demonstrating selective adaptation.
What evidence supports the idea of spatial frequency adaptation?
Evidence shows that adaptation is specific to spatial frequency; for example, when exposed to a grading of a certain spatial frequency, individuals become less sensitive to that grading, but not to one with a different spatial frequency.
Why is adaptation important in the visual system?
Adaptation allows the visual system to adjust to varying levels of stimulus intensity and helps in the efficient processing of visual information by reducing sensitivity to unchanging stimuli.
What happens when adaptation occurs to a specific spatial frequency?
When adaptation occurs to a specific spatial frequency, neurons that code for that frequency become fatigued, leading to a reduced sensitivity to stimuli with the same spatial frequency but different orientations.
How does the contrast sensitivity function relate to spatial frequency adaptation?
The contrast sensitivity function demonstrates that sensitivity to contrast varies with spatial frequency, and adaptation to a specific frequency can lead to a dip in the contrast sensitivity function at that frequency.
Why would the visual system use spatial frequency filters to analyze images?
different spatial frequencies emphasize different types of information
What are spatial frequency channels?
Spatial frequency channels are neural pathways in the visual system that process different spatial frequencies of visual stimuli, allowing the brain to analyze images based on varying levels of detail and contrast.
How do different spatial frequencies affect visual perception?
Low spatial frequencies provide information about the overall shape and structure of an image, while high spatial frequencies convey fine details. This differentiation helps in recognizing objects and understanding scenes.
What is the critical period for the development of spatial vision in humans?
The critical period for the development of spatial vision in humans is between 3 to 8 years of age.
Why are young children not very sensitive to high spatial frequencies?
Young children are not very sensitive to high spatial frequencies because their visual system is still developing, including the maturation of cones, rods, and retinal ganglion cells.
At what age does the fovea fully develop?
4 years old
What methods are used to study the vision of infants who cannot speak?
Researchers use the forced-choice preferential-looking paradigm and visual evoked potentials (VEPs) to study infant vision.
