perceptual processes

bottom-up processing

is the way we build perception starting with basic sensory information, like sights and sounds, and then combining them to form a complete picture or understanding.

top-down processing

Using prior knowledge, experiences, or expectations to interpret sensory information.

visual perception

The process of interpreting and organizing visual information from the environment.

monocular depth cues

Clues about depth and distance that can be seen with one eye.

relative size

A monocular depth cue where objects that appear larger are perceived as closer.

texture gradient

A monocular cue where texture appears finer and less distinct as objects get farther away.

interposition

A monocular cue where one object partially blocks another, indicating it is closer.

linear perspective

A monocular cue where parallel lines appear to converge as they get farther away, suggesting depth.

vanishing point

The point where parallel lines seem to meet in the distance, used in linear perspective.

aerial perspective

A monocular cue where distant objects appear lighter or blurrier due to the atmosphere.

relative clarity

A monocular cue where objects that are clearer and sharper are perceived as closer, while distant objects appear more blurry.

motion parallax

A depth cue where objects closer to us appear to move faster than those farther away when we move our head.

Elanor Gibson and Richard Walk

Psychologists who developed the "visual cliff" experiment to study depth perception in infants.

visual cliff

A test using a glass surface with a "drop-off" to study depth perception in infants and animals.

binocular depth cues

Clues about depth and distance that require the use of both eyes.

retinal disparity

The slight difference in images between the two eyes, which helps us perceive depth.

stereoptic

The brain's ability to combine the slightly different images from each eye to create a 3D perception of depth.

retinal convergence

The inward movement of both eyes to focus on a close object, helping to gauge its distance.

binocular disparity

The difference in images seen by the two eyes, which helps the brain judge depth.

Gestalt approach

A psychological theory that emphasizes the human tendency to organize sensory information into meaningful patterns or wholes.

proximity

The tendency to group objects that are close together in space.

similarity

The tendency to group objects that look similar to each other.

symmetry

The tendency to perceive objects as symmetrical and balanced.

continuity

The tendency to perceive smooth, continuous patterns rather than disjointed ones.

closure

The tendency to fill in gaps in incomplete objects to perceive them as whole.

Law of pragnanz

The principle that people perceive the simplest, most stable form of an object or pattern.

feature detector approach

The theory that certain neurons in the brain respond to specific features of stimuli, like lines or edges.

motion detection

The process by which the brain detects movement in the environment.

apparent motion

The perception of motion when there is no actual movement, like in animation or movies.

phi phenomenon

The illusion of motion created when two adjacent lights blink on and off in quick succession.

stroboscopic effect

The perception of continuous motion when a series of still images are shown in rapid sequence.

autokinetic effect

The illusion that a stationary light is moving when observed in a dark environment for a period of time.