Unit 2 Part 1 Flashcards
proximity
Grouping
Convergent Thinking
narrow the available solutions to determine the best one
Schemas
helps organize and interpret information
Gambler’s Fallacy
belief that probability of an event will change after a series of outcomes
Heuristics
simple thinking strategies (mental shortcuts) that allow us to solve problems/make judgments efficiently
Sunk-Cost Fallacy
sticking to the original plan because you’ve already invested time (even though new plan would save time)
retinal disparity
each retina receives slightly different image the brain “calculates” depth by comparing the image on each retina; greater disparity = closer the object (ex. 3D movies use same principle)
Top-Down Processing
processing beginning with higher-level mental processes, like experience or expectations
Relative Clarity
nearby objects appear sharp and clear, far objects appear hazy, blurry
Memory
Information that has been acquired, stored, and can be retrieved
Binocular Cues
depth perception that uses information transmitted to both eyes
Creativity
the ability to generate novel (new) ideas
Concepts
mental grouping of similar objects, events, ideas, or people
Texture Gradient
closer view will reveal greater texture and detail
Linear Perspective
sharper the angle of two lines meeting, greater perceived distance is; objects placed closer to convergence tend to be farther away
Apparent Motion
ability to perceive motion when objects are not actually moving
Visual Perceptual Constancies
Ability to perceive objects as unchanging even when retinal images change
Priming
the activation of certain associations (will influence decision making)
What are the Gestalt Principles?
Closure, similarity, figure-ground, proximity
Schemas
conceptual frameworks for understanding our experiences; organizes and interprets information (like folders of information in our mind)
Central Executive
coordinates focused processing (selective attention)
Phonological Loop
briefly holds auditory information
Monocular Cues
depth perception that uses information from a flat or two-dimensional surface (or far away images) to give the illusion of depth (works on either eye alone)
Selective Attention
the focusing of conscious awareness on a particular stimulus
perception
how we interpret environmental stimuli
Multi-Store Model
information-processing model
Interposition
objects that obstruct our view of other objects tend to be closer
Attention
interaction of sensation and perception
Executive Functioning
ability to generate, organize, plan, and carry-out goal-oriented behavior (critical thinking)
Storing
retain the information in our brain
Long-Term Potentiation
frequent activation increases strength of neural connections
Similarity
Group objects based on how similar they are
Representative Heuristics
using prior expectations/experience to make judgement or solve problem
Grouping
group nearby figures together
Cocktail Party Effect
the ability to pay attention to one voice at a time
Mental Set
using prior experiences (esp successful ones) tendency to approach problem the same way that’s worked in the past
Framing
the way an issue is presented
Gestalt Psychology
perceptual tendencies for visual organization - humans group elements, recognize patterns, and simplify complex images to give meaning to sensations (can apply to other senses)
Change Blindness
failing to notice changes in the environment (also applies to other senses: “change deafness”)
Assimilation
taking in new information and fitting it into an existing schema
Sensory Memory
the immediate, very brief recording of sensory information in the memory system
Visuospatial Sketchpad
briefly holds visual and spatial information
Perceptual Set
mental predispositions (tendencies and assumptions) that influence what we perceive
Closure
Fill in gaps to create complete object
Availability Heuristic
judging an event based on the most vivid or first recalled example
Relative Size
larger sized objects tend to be closer
Functional Fixedness
inability to find creative solutions or see objects for uses other than your past experience tells you
Encoding
get information into our brain
Working Memory
newer understanding of short-term memory
Retrieval
later get information back out from our brain
Inattentional Blindness
failing to see visible objects when our attention is directed elsewhere
Figure-ground
Objects (figures) that stand out from their surrounding (ground/background)
Long-Term Memory
the relative permanent and limitless archive of the memory system
Algorithm
logistical, methodical, systematic step-by-step procedure for solving problems - attempt all problems until solution is found
Divergent Thinking
expanding the number of possible solutions
Accommodation
taking in new information and adjusting/adapting current schemas to incorporate it
Bottom-Up Processing
processing beginning with sensory receptors (sensory systems detect lines, angles, colors, smells, tastes) work up to brain
Prototypes
best example of a category (mental image we have)
