Visual Perception and Processing

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to visual perception and processing, as outlined in the lecture notes.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The range of all types of electromagnetic radiation, including visible light, radio waves, infrared, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays.

Visible Spectrum

The portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that can be perceived by the human eye, typically measured in wavelengths ranging from approximately 400 to 700 nanometers.

Brightness

The psychological dimension of vision that corresponds to the amplitude of light waves.

Fovea

The central region of the retina, specialized for high visual acuity and contains a high concentration of cones.

Photoreceptors

Cells in the retina (rods and cones) that are responsible for converting light into neural signals.

Rods

Photoreceptors that are sensitive to dim light, mainly responsible for night vision and do not detect color.

Cones

Photoreceptors that operate in bright light conditions, responsible for color vision and fine detail; found primarily in the fovea.

Optic Chiasm

The point where the optic nerves partially cross, allowing visual information from both eyes to be processed in both hemispheres of the brain.

Feature Detectors

Neurons in the visual cortex that respond selectively to specific features of a stimulus, such as edges, shapes, and movements.

Trichromatic Theory

The theory that the retina contains three types of cones that are sensitive to red, blue, and green light, which combine to produce the perception of all colors.

Opponent-Process Theory

The theory that the visual system treats pairs of colors as opposing or antagonistic, explaining color perception and afterimages.

Depth Cues

Visual signals that indicate the distance of objects, which can be binocular (requiring two eyes) or monocular (usable with one eye).

Gestalt Psychology

A school of thought that focuses on how people naturally organize perceptual information into meaningful wholes.

Afterimages

Visual sensations that remain after a stimulus has been removed, often associated with the opponent-process theory.