Perception

sensory systems

the processes by which we detect and interpret stimuli from our environment, encompassing both the physical mechanisms of sensation and the psychological processes of perception

transduction

the process by which sensory receptors convert stimuli into electrical signals that the nervous system can understand

sensory pathways

neural pathways that carry sensory information from receptors to the brain

sensory cortex

specific areas in the brain, such as the visual cortex (occipital lobe), auditory cortex (temporal lobe), and somatosensory cortex (parietal lobe), that are responsible for processing different types of sensory information

sensory adaptation

the reduction in sensitivity to a stimulus after prolonged exposure

not immediately reversible, unconscious

gestalt principles

ground upon which our brain tries to group things

• proximity

• similarity

• continuity

• closure

• common fate

• good gestalt

• figure-ground

retinal disparity

the brain can compute distance by comparing the image from each eye

convergence

the extent to which the eyes converge inward indicates distance

relative size

distant objects appear smaller

linear perspective

parallel lines appear to converge with distance, the more they converge the greater perceived distance

interposition

if one object blocks our view of another, then we perceive it as being in front

relative clarity

hazier objects seem farther away, clearer objects seem closer

texture gradient

farther away objects seem smaller and more densely packed

relative height

vertical dimensions seem longer than horizontal ones

relative motion

objects that are stable seem to be moving while we are moving

light and shadow

nearby objects reflect more light and therefore appear closer, dimmer objects are further away

shape constancy

we perceive the form of familiar objects as constant even when our retinal image changes

size constancy

we perceive objects as having constant size even while our distance from them varies

relative lightness/brightness constancy

we perceive an object as having constant lightness even while its illumination varies

relative luminance

amount of light an object reflects relative to its surroundings