Unit 2.1 Perception

Sensation

Encoding of neural signals from stimuli.

Perception

Selection, organization, and interpretation of sensations.

Selective Attention

Focusing awareness on a limited aspect of experiences.

Cocktail Party Effect

Attending to one voice among many sounds.

Change Blindness

Failure to notice changes in visual stimuli.

Form Perception

Recognizing an object distinct from its background.

Figure and Ground

Stimulus can trigger multiple perceptions.

Grouping

Organizing stimuli into meaningful forms.

Proximity

Grouping nearby figures together.

Similarity

Grouping similar stimuli together.

Continuity

Grouping smooth, continuous patterns.

Connectedness

Perceiving items as linked and uniform.

Closure

Filling in gaps to perceive whole objects.

Depth Perception

Ability to see objects in three dimensions.

Binocular Cues

Depth cues requiring both eyes.

Retinal Disparity

Difference between images from two eyes.

Convergence

Neuromuscular cue from inward eye movement.

Monocular Cues

Distance cues available to one eye.

Relative Size

Distant objects appear smaller than near ones.

Interposition

Object blocking another is perceived as closer.

Relative Clarity

Hazy objects perceived as farther away.

Texture Gradient

Change from coarse to fine texture indicates distance.

Relative Height

Higher objects perceived as farther away.

Relative Motion

Stable objects appear to move slower than nearby ones.

Linear Perspective

Parallel lines converge with distance.

Light and Shadow

Dimmer objects appear farther away.

Motion Perception

Brain interprets motion based on size changes.

Phi Phenomenon

Illusion of movement from adjacent lights blinking.

Perceptual Constancy

Perceiving objects as unchanging despite variations.

Shape Constancy

Objects seen as constant despite retinal changes.

Size Constancy

Objects perceived as constant size despite distance.

Size-Distance Relationship

Object size inferred from perceived distance.

Lightness Constancy

Perception of constant lightness despite illumination changes.

Perceptual Adaptation

Adjusting to an altered visual field.

Perceptual Set

Mental predisposition to perceive one thing over another.

Context Effects

Different perceptions triggered by immediate context.