Critical Periods & Vision Perception

These flashcards focus on key concepts related to critical periods in visual development and perception, drawing from experiments by Hubel and Wiesel and implications for artists like El Greco and Monet.

Critical Period

A developmental phase during which the brain is particularly receptive to specific types of sensory input.

Ocular Dominance

The tendency of neurons in the visual cortex to respond preferentially to stimuli presented to one eye over the other.

Synaptic Density Curve

Graphical representation of the growth and pruning of neural connections over the lifespan.

Use it or lose it principle

The concept that neural connections that are not utilized are eliminated during development.

Plasticity

The brain's ability to change and adapt as a result of experience.

Astigmatism

A refractive error caused by an irregular shape of the eye that leads to blurred vision.

Cataracts

Clouding of the lens in the eye, leading to impaired vision.

Constructive interference

A phenomenon where two waves combine to make a wave with a larger amplitude.

Destructive interference

A phenomenon where two waves combine to create a wave with a smaller amplitude or cancel each other out.

Monet's Cataracts

Refers to Claude Monet's late paintings, which appeared dull and yellow-brown due to cataracts affecting his vision.

Hubel & Wiesel Experiment

Research on kittens that demonstrated the importance of early visual experience on neural development in the visual cortex.