Sensation

The conversion, or transduction, of physical, electromagnetic, auditory, and other information from the
internal and external environment into electrical signals in the nervous system

Perception

The processing of sensory information to make sense of its significance

Adaptation

The decrease in response to a stimulus over time

Opponent-Process Theory

Cells can only detect the presence of one color at a time because the two colors oppose one another

Binocular Cues

Provide depth information when viewing a scene with both eyes

Retinal Disparity

The space between the eyes that allows binocular vision to create depth perception

Convergence

The rotation of the eyes in their sockets to focus on a single object

Monocular Cues

Information about depth that relies on the input of just one eye

Relative Size

The size of familiar objects on the ground as a cue for depth and distance

Interposition

A distance cue that suggests that closer objects will cut off our vision of more distant objects behind
them

Relative Height

A distance cue that suggests that things higher are perceived to be farther away

Shading and Contour

A distance cue that uses light and shading to perceive and form depth and objects
Motion Parallax

A distance cue that suggests that objects at different distances appear to move through your field of
vision with a different relative motion, as you move

Constancy

The ability to recognize the same object as remaining "constant" under different conditions, such as
changes in illumination, distance, or location

Weber’s Law

This concept says that the size of a JND is proportional to the intensity of the stimulus

Just-Noticeable Difference

The smallest amount by which a stimulus can be changed and the difference can be detected half the
time

Absolute Threshold of Sensation

The amount of stimulation necessary for a stimulus to be detected

Subliminal Stimuli

Sensory stimulation that is below a person's threshold for perception

Signal Detection Theory

Explains how we detect "signals," consisting of stimulation affecting our eyes, ears, nose, skin, and other sense
organs

Hit

Responds “present” when the stimulus is present

False Alarm

Responds “present” when the stimulus is absent

Correct Rejection

Responds “absent” when the stimulus is absent

Miss

Responds “absent” when the stimulus is present

d’
The variable that represents the strength of the signal

The variable that represents the strategy used

Conservative Strategy

Always say “no” unless 100% sure that signal is present.

Liberal Strategy

Always say “yes,” even if it results in false alarms

Parallel Processing

The ability to simultaneously analyze and combine information regarding color, shape, and motion

Bottom-Up Processing

Refers to object recognition by parallel processing and feature detection where the brain takes the
individual sensory stimuli and combines them together to create a cohesive image before determining
what the object is

Top-Down Processing

Driven by memories and expectations that allow the brain to recognize the whole object and then
recognize the components based on these expectations

Perceptual Organization

The ability to use both bottom-up and top-down processing

Gestalt Principles Definition

Ways that the brain can infer missing parts of a picture when a picture is incomplete

Gestalt Principles

Similarity, Pragnanz, Proximity, Continuity, Closure, Symmetry, Law of Common Fate, and Law of Past
Experiences

Similarity

Components that are similar in color, shape, and size, tend to be grouped together

Pragnanz
Perceptual organization will always be as regular, simple, and symmetric as possible

Proximity

Components close to one another tend to be perceived as a unit

Continuity

Components that appear to follow in the same pathway tend to be grouped together

Closure

A space enclosed by a contour tends to be perceived as a complete figure

Symmetry

The mind perceives objects as being symmetrical and forming around a central point

Law of Common Fate

When visual elements are seen moving in the same direction at the same rate, perception associates the
movement as part of the same stimulus

Law of Past Experiences

Under certain circumstances, visual stimuli are categorized according to past experience

Phi Phenomenon

The optical illusion of perceiving a series of still images, when viewed in rapid succession, as continuous
motion