explain the process of visual perception, with reference to reception (visible light spectrum); transduction (photoreceptors, receptive fields); transmission (visual cortex); selection (feature detectors); and organisation and interpretation (visual perception principles)

stages of visual perception

reception, transduction, transmission, selection, organisation and interpretation

stages in sensation

reception, transduction, transmission

stages in perception

selection, organisation, interpretation

reception

light enters cornea focused onto retina at back of eye

what does the retina contain

photoreceptor cells

what are photoreceptor cells

rods and cones

rods

detect dim light - responsible for night vision

cones

detect colour - active in bright light

reception purpose

capture visual stimuli from enviro

Transduction

photoreceptors convert light energy into electrical signals

purpose of transduction

transform visual stimuli light into neural signals that brain can purpose

transmission

electrical signals transmitted via optic nerve to primary visual cortex in occipital lobe

transmission

deliver visual info to the brain for further processing

Selection

image broken down - feature detectors select most important features for processing - edges, movement, colour

selection purpose

filter out irrelevant info and focus on important details

organisation

brain organises visual info into coherent image using gestalt principles, depth perception, perceptual

organisation purpose

create organised and meaningful image from individual elements

interpretation

brain assigns meaning to organised image using past experiences, memories, context

where does interpretation occur

temporal, parietal lobes

interpretation purpose

understand what is being seen - recognising objects, faces, text

what is the visible light spectrum for humans

360-760 nanometers

visible spectrum

for our eyes to receive stimuli

light needs to be part of particular spectrum