Visual Processing, Perception, Attention, and Movement

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering visual processing, visual perception, visual attention, and perception while moving from Chapters 4 through 7.

Simple cells

Neurons in the visual system that respond to lines or edges at specific angles and locations. They help the brain detect basic visual features.

Complex cells

Neurons that respond to lines at specific angles, especially when they are moving. They help the brain recognize movement and visual patterns.

End-stopped cells

Neurons that respond to lines of specific lengths, corners, and angles. They help detect the ends of lines and more complex shapes.

Retinotopic map

A map in the visual cortex that maintains the same spatial arrangement as the retina. This allows the brain to know where visual information is coming from.

Fovea

The center of the retina responsible for sharp and detailed vision. It allows us to see small details clearly.

Cortical magnification

The fovea takes up more space in the visual cortex than other areas of the retina because it provides more detailed visual information.

Ventral pathway (WHAT pathway)

Involves the temporal lobe and helps identify and recognize objects and faces. It helps us understand what we are looking at.

Dorsal pathway (WHERE/HOW pathway)

Involves the parietal lobe and helps determine where objects are located and how to interact with them. It helps guide our movements and actions.

Parallel processing

The brain processes different types of visual information at the same time using separate pathways.

Double dissociation

When damage to one brain area affects one ability, while damage to another area affects a different ability. This shows that two abilities can function independently.

Inverse projection problem

The brain must figure out what real-world objects created the two-dimensional images received by the eyes. One image could have been created by many different objects or arrangements.

Scene completion

The brain fills in missing visual information so we can recognize complete objects. This allows us to recognize something even when part of it is hidden or blurry.

Viewpoint invariance

The ability to recognize an object as the same object even when it is viewed from different angles or positions.

Perceptual organization

The process of grouping visual information together to create meaningful objects and scenes. It helps us make sense of what we see.

Gestalt psychology

Explains how the brain organizes individual visual parts into meaningful wholes. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Grouping

Combining visual elements that appear to belong together because they share similarities or are close to one another.

Segregation

Separating an object from its background so we can identify what is important in a scene.

Figure-ground relationship

The brain separates the main object (figure) from the surrounding background (ground). For example, seeing a person standing in front of a wall.

Bottom-up processing

Perception that starts with sensory information from the environment. The brain uses what the eyes actually see to recognize objects.

Top-down processing

Perception influenced by previous experiences, expectations, and knowledge. The brain uses what we already know to help interpret what we see.

Gist of the scene

The ability to quickly understand the overall meaning or layout of a scene without identifying every individual object.

FFA (Fusiform Face Area)

A brain region involved in recognizing and processing faces. It helps us identify people visually.

PPA (Parahippocampal Place Area)

A brain region involved in recognizing places and scenes, such as buildings, rooms, and landscapes.

EBA (Extrastriate Body Area)

A brain region involved in processing visual information about human bodies and body parts, excluding faces.

Visual attention

The process of focusing on important visual information while ignoring distractions. It helps us select what information to pay attention to.

Visual scanning

Moving the eyes in a systematic way to locate specific information in the environment.

Fixation

A brief pause in eye movement that allows the brain to take in visual information from a particular location.

Saccadic eye movements

Quick movements of the eyes from one fixation point to another. They allow us to scan our surroundings.

Overt attention

Paying attention to something by physically moving your eyes toward it. For example, turning your eyes toward someone who is talking.

Covert attention

Paying attention to something without moving your eyes. For example, focusing on someone walking beside you while looking straight ahead.

Top-down attention

Attention guided by personal goals, expectations, and intentions. For example, looking for a specific person in a crowded room.

Bottom-up attention

Attention automatically captured by something noticeable or unexpected in the environment. For example, noticing a bright flash or loud movement.

Stimulus-driven attention

Attention triggered by environmental changes such as color, movement, brightness, or unusual objects.

Goal-directed attention

Attention controlled by what a person is trying to accomplish or find.

Facilitation of action

Attention helps guide physical movements by directing us toward important information in our surroundings.

Temporal lobe

A brain region involved in processing visual information about objects and faces.

Parietal lobe

A brain region involved in spatial awareness, location, movement, and depth perception.

Motor areas

Brain regions that help coordinate eye movements and control physical movements.

Ecological approach to perception

Focuses on how people perceive their environment while moving rather than only studying stationary observers. It looks at how movement affects what we see.

Optic flow

The pattern of visual movement across our eyes when we move through the environment. It helps us understand our direction and movement.

Focus of expansion

The point in the visual field where optic flow appears to spread outward. It helps us determine the direction in which we are moving.

Self-produced information

Information created by our own movements that helps us understand our surroundings. It allows us to actively learn about the environment.

Active learning

Learning by actively exploring and interacting with the environment rather than just passively receiving information.

Vestibular system

The system in the inner ear that detects head movement and helps maintain balance. It works with the visual system to help us stay stable.

Sensory interaction

Different sensory systems work together to help us understand our environment and control our movements.

Swinging room experiment

An experiment showing that visual information can influence balance. When the walls of a room move, people may feel like they are moving even when standing still.

Sensory conflict

When different sensory systems provide information that does not match. This can affect balance and our perception of movement.

Hippocampus

A brain region involved in spatial memory and navigation. It helps us remember locations and find our way around.

Retrosplenial cortex

A brain region involved in navigation, recognizing familiar environments, and understanding directions.

Parahippocampal region

A brain area involved in processing places and scenes and helping us remember spatial environments.

Place cells

Neurons in the hippocampus that become active when an animal is in a specific location. They help create a mental map of the environment.

Grid cells

Neurons that help the brain track locations and movement by creating a grid-like representation of the environment.

Spatial memory

The ability to remember locations, routes, and the relationships between different places.