Unit 2 AP Psychology Vocab Quiz #1

Bottom-Up Processing

We perceive elements by starting with the smaller, more fine details of that element and then building upward until we have a solid representation of it in our minds

Top-Down Processing

We form perceptions by starting with the larger concept or idea and then working our way down to the finer details of that concept or idea

Schema

The list of characteristics of an object (concept) that allows us to categorize

Perceptual Set

A tendency to perceive some sensory stimuli and to ignore others

Gestalt Psychology

A psychological perspective that emphasizes that the mind tends to perceive unified wholes and patterns rather than the bits and pieces that make up those wholes and patterns

Closure

Explains how humans fill in visual gaps in order to perceive disconnected parts as a whole object

Figure Ground

In order to see an object properly, you must distinguish the difference between the figure and the ground.

Proximity

People tend to organize objects close to each other into a perceptual group and interpret them as a single entity

Similarity

People tend to organize objects with similar qualities into a perceptual group and interpret them as a whole.

Attention

Focusing on one thing while ignoring other things that may be going on at the same time

Selective Attention

Focusing our conscious awareness on a particular stimulus

Cocktail Party Effect

The ability to focus one's attention a particular stimulus while filtering out a range of other stimuli

Inattentional Blindness

Failing to see visible objects because our focus is elsewhere

Change Blindness

Failing to notice changes in the environment

Binocular Depth Cues

A depth cue that requires the use of both eyes

Retinal Disparity

By comparing retinal images from the two eyes, the brain computes distance—the greater the disparity between the two images, the closer the object.

Convergence

When two eyes move inward to see near objects, and outward to see far away objects.

Monocular Depth Cues

A depth cue available to either eye alone

Relative Clarity

people judge the distance of objects by their apparent sharpness and detail

Relative Size

Allows you to determine how close objects are to an object of known size

Texture Gradient

There is a gradual change in appearance of objects from coarse to fine

Linear Perpective

Parallel lines appear to converge with distance

Interposition

Objects that block other objects tend to be perceived as closer

Apparent Movement

Visual illusion that occurs when two shapes or stimuli are presented in quick succession, creating the impression of movement

Prototypes

The typical example of the concept that demonstrates the schema

Assimilation

Fitting new information with new understanding

Accommodation

Old information is modified to incorporate new information

Algorithms

Methodical, logical rule or procedure that guarantees solving a particular problem

Heuristics

Simple thinking strategies that often allows us to make judgments and solve problems efficiently.

Representativeness Heuristic

Judging the likelihood of things or objects in terms of how well they seem to represent, or match a particular prototype….it allows people to make quick judgments.

Available Heuristic

Cognitive shortcut in which the probability of an event is determined by how easily the event can be brought to mind.  You choose the alternative that is most mentally “available”.

Mental Set

Tendency for old patterns of problem solving to persist and make it impossible for us to see new ways to solve the problem.

Priming

Procedure of providing cues that stimulate memories without awareness of the connection between the cue and the retrieved memory.

Framing

How an issue is presented can significantly affect decisions and judgments.

Gambler’s Fallacy

a cognitive bias that adheres to the ideas that if something hasn’t happened recently it soon will

Sunk-cost Fallacy

a cognitive bias that makes you stay in a situation despite losing resources or benefits

Executive functions

mental skills that help us learn, work, and manage daily life, including working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control.

Creativity

The ability to form new and useful ideas

Divergent Thinking

expanding the number of possible problem solutions; creative thinking that expands in different directions

Convergent Thinking

narrowing the available problem solutions to determine the single best solution

Functional Fixedness

Tendency to think of only the familiar or typical function for objects