perception

Sensation

The process of detecting sensory stimuli from the environment.

Perception

The interpretation and organization of sensory input into meaningful experiences.

Bottom-Up Processing

Analyzing information starting with sensory input and building toward a perception.

Top-Down Processing

Using prior knowledge, experiences, and expectations to interpret sensory input.

Sensory Adaptation

Reduced sensitivity to a stimulus after prolonged exposure.

Inhibition

The brain’s ability to suppress irrelevant sensory information to focus on relevant stimuli.

Monocular Depth Cues

Depth cues that can be perceived using one eye.

Relative Clarity

Objects that are clearer are perceived as closer.

Relative Size

Smaller objects are perceived as farther away if they are assumed to be the same size.

Texture Gradient

Objects with more detail are perceived as closer.

Linear Perspective

Parallel lines appear to converge as they recede into the distance.

Interposition

Closer objects partially block the view of objects farther away.

Binocular Depth Cues

Depth cues that require both eyes.

Retinal Disparity

The difference in images seen by each eye; greater disparity indicates closer objects.

Convergence

The degree to which the eyes turn inward to focus on a nearby object.

Visual Cliff Research

Experiments showing that depth perception is present in infants and other animals.

Perceptual Constancy

The ability to perceive objects as unchanging despite changes in sensory input.

Size Constancy

Perceiving an object as having the same size despite changes in distance.

Shape Constancy

Recognizing an object’s shape regardless of the angle of view.

Color Constancy

Perceiving consistent color under varying lighting conditions.

Gestalt Principles

Psychological rules that describe how we naturally organize sensory information.

Figure-Ground Perception

The ability to distinguish an object (figure) from its background (ground).

Color Afterimages

A visual illusion where a complementary color is seen after staring at a colored image and then looking away.

Reversible Figures

Images that can be interpreted in multiple ways, such as the Necker cube.

Illusions of Movement

Perceptions of motion where none exists.

Phi Phenomenon

The illusion of movement created by rapidly blinking lights in sequence.

Stroboscopic Movement

The illusion of continuous motion created by a rapid sequence of slightly varying images.

The Müller-Lyer Illusion

A visual illusion in which two lines of equal length appear to be different due to the direction of arrow-like endings.

The Ponzo Illusion

A visual illusion where lines of equal length appear unequal due to converging background lines.

Schemas

Mental frameworks or concepts that help organize and interpret information.

Context

The surrounding information or environment that influences perception.

Perceptual Set

A predisposition to perceive things in a certain way based on expectations, context, and prior knowledge.