m19: organization & interpretation

gestalt

can be pieces of obj, idea, or experience organized into a whole

figure-ground

mind is organizing attention between a figure & background

grouping

brain organizes things into logical groups

proximity

individual elements placed close to each other are perceived as belonging together

ex: stars clustered in the sky

continuity

when individual elements of visual image are aligned in a way that suggests a continuous line, will be perceived as a whole

closure

mind seeks to create coherence, will fill in gaps to create perception of completion

similarity

elements alike are grouped together

connectedness

elements connected are seen as related

depth perception

ability to see in 3D & allows us to judge distance

visual cliff

tests depth perception in infants & young animals

binocular cues

depth cues, require use of both eyes to perceive visual info

retinal disparity

perceives depth, light & right fields of vision provide slightly diff visual images when focusing on singular obj

monocular cues

depth cues detected with one eye

interposition

obj closer to us is partially blocking view of obj further from us

relative size

when 2 obj similar in size appear in vision, obj that is smaller is further away & obj that is larger is closer to us

relative height

obj higher are farther away, obj lower closer

relative motion

when in moving vehicle,

• nonmoving obj appear to move

• obj beyond fixation pt move w/ u & obj in front move backwards

• farther obj is from fixation pt = faster movement

linear perspective

perceive parallel lines appearing to meet at a distance

light & shadow

when light hits obj, it creates shades of light & dark

stroboscopic movement

continuous movement in rapid series of slightly varying images

phi phenomenon

illusion of movement created when sequence of light blinks on & off

perceptual constancy

top-down process of perceiving obj as unchanging even as retinal images change

color constancy

perceiving familiar obj as having consistent color, even if changing illumination alters the wavelength reflected by obj

brightness constancy

perceiving obj as having constant brightness even while illumination varies

depends on luminance (amount of light on obj reflects relative to surroundings)

shape constancy

perception that familiar obj stays constant even when retinas receive changing images

size constancy

perception that obj have constant size, even when distance varies

perceptual adaption

adjust to artificially displaced or inverted visual field