Visual Perception

binocular vision

When both eyes see one image at the same time.

brightness/color constancy

Objects appear the same brightness or color even as the light reflecting off the object changes.

closure

The Gestalt principle that we mentally close gaps in incomplete images.

depth perception cues

Visual cues that tell our brains something is three-dimensional.

figure-ground perception

The ability to distinguish an object from a background.

interposition

When one object blocks another, creating the appearance that the object being blocked is behind the object blocking it.

linear perspective

The cue that parallel lines appear to converge as they recede into the distance.

Mach bands

When two shades of gray meet, creating the impression that the colors contrast more where they meet.

motion parallax

The perception that an object is moving faster as it approaches from a distance.

Necker cube

A three-dimensional outline of a cube that creates an illusion due to its back and front face orientations.

Penrose staircase

An endless staircase that descends or ascends in an impossible loop.

perceptual constancy

The ability to maintain a constant perception of an object despite changes on the retina.

relative size

A depth cue indicating that the more distant an object, the smaller its image will be on the retina.

retinal disparity

The slight difference in view from each eye due to the distance between them.

shape constancy

The understanding that objects maintain the same shape despite different angles of view.

size constancy

The perception that objects remain the same proportional size even as distance changes.

texture gradient

The way distant objects appear with less detail than nearer objects.