Unit 2, AOS 1: Sensation + perception

Question 1

Define sensation.

Answer 1

Process by which sense organs respond to sensory data that stimulates them.

Question 2

Define perception.

Answer 2

Process by which we give meaning to sensory information.

Question 3

Define reception.

Answer 3

The first stage of visual perception. Process in which the eye receives incoming light and focuses it onto retina where image of visual stimulus is captured.

Question 4

Describe the cornea and state it’s role.

Answer 4

A transparent, convex-shaped dome covering the eye. The cornea helps to focus light rays onto the retina at the back of the eye.

Question 5

Describe the aqueous humour and state it’s role.

Answer 5

A watery fluid that helps to maintain the eyeball’s shape and provides nutrients, oxygen and waste removal.

Question 6

Describe the pupil and state it’s role.

Answer 6

The opening in the iris that helps control the amount of light entering the eye. The iris surrounds the pupil and is a muscle that expands/contracts to control light amounts.

Question 7

Describe the lens and state it’s role.

Answer 7

Transparent and convex shape that sits being the pupil. It plays a major role in focusing light onto the retina. It’s shape is changed by the ciliary muscles that bulge to focus on nearby objects and flatten to focus on distant objects.

Question 8

Describe the vitreous humour and state it’s role.

Answer 8

Jelly-like substance that helps to maintain eyeball shape and focus light onto the retina. This makes up the big sphere area of the eye.

Question 9

State the role of the retina.

Answer 9

Receives & absorbs light and processes images.

Question 10

Define photoreceptors.

Answer 10

Specialised neurons that detect and respond to light.

Question 11

What type of vision are rods involved in?

Answer 11

Low level light or night vision. These photoreceptors are not involved in colour vision or details.

Question 12

What type of vision are cones involved in?

Answer 12

High-level light and well-lit conditions. These photoreceptors detect fine details and are involved in colour vision.

Question 13

Define transduction.

Answer 13

The second stage of visual perception. Light reaches photoreceptors in electromagnetic energy in which cannot be sent to the brain. This energy is then transformed into electrochemical energy.

Question 14

Define transmission.

Answer 14

The third stage in visual perception. The information is sent along the optic nerve to the primary visual cortex in the brain.

Question 15

What is the blind spot?

Answer 15

The place in the eye near the optic nerve where no rods or cones are located, meaning light cannot be detected there.

Question 16

Define interpretation.

Answer 16

The fourth stage in visual perception. The visual cortex enables perception.

Question 17

What are Gestalt principles for?

Answer 17

They describe ways we organise parts of a visual scene by grouping them to interpret a whole form.

Question 18

What are the four Gestalt principles?

Answer 18

• Figure-ground
• Closure
• Proximity
• Similarity

Question 19

Define figure-ground and provide an example.

Answer 19

Dividing what we see into a figure and a background. Eg. Stop sign, silhouette.

Question 20

Define closure.

Answer 20

The process of mentally closing gaps so that we perceive objects as whole.

Question 21

Define similarity and provide an example.

Answer 21

Perceiving parts of a vidual image that have similar features belonging in a group. Eg. Students wearing the same uniform

Question 22

Define proximity and provide an example.

Answer 22

Perceiving parts of an image positioned together as belonging in a group based on how close the are. Eg. Tents at a campground in clusters.

Question 23

Define depth perception.

Answer 23

Ability to accurately estimate distance of objects and perceive the world in 3D.

Question 24

Define binocular depth cues.

Answer 24

Both eyes working together to provide information about depth to the brain.

Question 25

What are two examples of binocular depth cues?

Answer 25

• Convergence

- Retinal disparity

Question 26

What is convergence?

Answer 26

A binocular depth cue that involves the brain detecting and interpreting depth & distance from changes in the eye muscles that occur when two eyes turn inward to focus on close objects.

Question 27

What is retinal disparity?

Answer 27

A binocular depth cue that describes the slight difference in location of visual images on each retina because the eyes are 6-7cm apart. Information from both retinas is compared and combined to interpret depth and distance of object.

Question 28

Define monocular depth cues.

Answer 28

The use of only one eye to detect and interpret information about depth & distance.

Question 29

What are two examples of monocular depth cues?

Answer 29

• Accomodation

- Pictorial cues

Question 30

What are the pictorial depth cues?

Answer 30

Linear perspective
Interposition/overlap
Texture gradient
Relative size
Height in the visual field

Question 31

What is linear perspective?

Answer 31

A pictorial depth cue; the illusion of convergence of parallel lines.

Question 32

What is interposition?

Answer 32

A pictorial depth cue; the overlapping of objects indicating how close an object is to the viewer.

Question 33

What is texture gradient?

Answer 33

A pictorial depth cue; the gradual reduction in detail.

Question 34

What is relative size?

Answer 34

A pictorial depth cue; perceiving the largest image as closest.

Question 35

What is height in the visual field?

Answer 35

A pictorial depth cue; objects closer to the horizon are furthest away.

Question 36

What is perceptual set?

Answer 36

Factors that influence our expectations.

Question 37

What are the factors of perceptual set?

Answer 37

Context
Motivation
Emotional state
Past experience
Culture

Question 38

What influences our taste perception?

Answer 38

• Age, genetics & culture

- Food appearance, food sound, past experience.

Question 39

Define size constancy.

Answer 39

Understanding that an object is not actually bigger/smaller, only perceived this way because of depth or distance.

Question 40

Define shape constancy.

Answer 40

Understanding that an object is not a different shape when seen by different angles on the retina.

Question 41

What does a perceptual distortion involve?

Answer 41

Inconsistency or mismatch between perception/interpretation of actual reality.