Unit 2 Cognition 🧠

What is bottom-up processing?

A method of perception where sensory input starts with the smallest pieces and builds up to a complete perception.

What is top-down processing?

A method of perception where expectations and prior knowledge influence how sensory information is interpreted.

What is sensory adaptation?

The diminishing sensitivity to a constant stimulus over time.

What is habituation?

A learning process where an individual learns to ignore a stimulus that is repeatedly presented.

What is the absolute threshold?

The minimum level of stimulus intensity needed for a sensory system to detect a stimulus 50% of the time.

What is the difference threshold (just noticeable difference)?

The smallest difference in stimulation that can be detected 50% of the time.

What does Weber's Law state?

The difference threshold is a proportion of the original stimulus intensity.

What are subliminal stimuli?

Stimuli that are below the threshold of conscious perception but can still influence thoughts and behavior.

What is sensory interaction?

The way different senses influence each other in perception.

What is the McGurk Effect?

A perceptual phenomenon where visual information influences auditory perception.

What is transduction in sensation?

The process of converting one form of energy into another, such as transforming stimulus energies into neural impulses.

What is selective attention?

Focusing on one particular object in the environment for a certain period.

What is divided attention?

Paying attention to multiple stimuli at once.

How does context influence perception?

The environment or situation can change how we perceive objects or events.

What is a perceptual set?

A mental predisposition to perceive one thing and not another, influenced by expectations.

What is inattentional blindness?

Failing to see visible objects when attention is focused elsewhere.

What is change blindness?

A form of inattentional blindness where a change in a visual stimulus goes unnoticed.

What is a schema?

A cognitive framework or concept that helps organize and interpret information.

What are the gestalt principles?

Principles that describe how we organize visual elements into groups or unified wholes.

What is figure-ground perception?

The ability to distinguish an object (figure) from its background (ground).

What are impossible figures?

Images that create a paradox, appearing to be three-dimensional objects that cannot exist in reality.

What is feature analysis?

The process of identifying specific features of a stimulus to recognize it.

What is the prototype matching process?

Comparing new stimuli to the closest matching prototype in memory for identification.

What does it mean for objects to have constant size and shape in perception?

We perceive objects as having a constant size and shape, even when viewed from different distances or angles.

What are binocular cues?

Depth cues that require both eyes for perception.

What is retinal disparity?

The difference between the images seen by each eye that helps us judge distance.

What are depth cues that can be perceived with one eye?

Relative clarity, relative size, texture gradient, linear perspective, and interposition.

What creates the illusion of movement in Apparent Motion?

A series of still images viewed in sequence that create the perception of movement.

What is the Autokinetic Effect?

The perception that a stationary point of light in a dark room appears to move.

What is the Phi Phenomenon?

The perception of motion when still images are presented in rapid succession.

What is Stroboscopic Movement?

The illusion of movement from a series of static images shown quickly.

What are color afterimages?

Visual sensations that linger in the complementary color after staring at a color.

What are Reversible Figures?

Images that can be perceived in two different ways, such as a vase or two faces.

What is the Muller-Lyer Illusion?

An optical illusion where two lines of equal length appear different due to arrow-like ends.

What is the Ponzo Illusion?

An optical illusion where two horizontal lines appear different in length due to converging lines.

What is face blindness?

A condition where individuals cannot recognize familiar faces.

What is the function of the lens in the eye?

A transparent structure that focuses light onto the retina and adjusts focus (accommodation).

What is the retina?

The inner layer of the eye containing photoreceptors that convert light into neural signals.

What is the Fovea?

The central part of the retina responsible for sharp central vision, with a high density of cones.

What are rods and cones?

Photoreceptors in the retina; rods are for low light and night vision, while cones are for color vision.

What is the blind spot?

The area on the retina where the optic nerve exits, lacking photoreceptors.

What is Trichromatic Theory?

The theory that color vision is based on three types of cones sensitive to red, green, and blue light.

What is Opponent-Processing Theory?

The theory that color perception is controlled by opposing pairs of colors (red-green, blue-yellow).

What is color deficiency?

Difficulties in distinguishing certain colors, including conditions like dichromatism and monochromatism.

What are Ganglion Cells?

Neurons that receive input from photoreceptors and transmit visual information to the brain.

What are Motion Detector Cells?

Specialized cells that respond to motion in the visual field.

What is Place Theory?

The theory that different frequencies stimulate different areas of the cochlea, leading to pitch perception.

What is Frequency Theory?

The theory that the rate of nerve impulses matches the frequency of a sound, allowing pitch perception.

What is Conduction Deafness?

Hearing loss due to problems with the outer or middle ear that prevent sound transmission to the inner ear.

What is Sensorineural Deafness?

Hearing loss caused by damage to hair cells in the cochlea or the auditory nerve.

What is the Olfactory System responsible for?

The sense of smell, including the detection of pheromones.

What is gustation?

The sense of taste, involving taste receptors that detect five basic tastes.