AP Psychology Definitions Flashcards

Perceptual Principles

• Figure Ground: Differentiation of objects from their background; crucial in ambiguous visual scenarios.
• Grouping: Individuals working together towards a shared goal, often within a larger entity.
• Proximity: Tendency of objects that are close to be perceived as a group.
• Similarity: Objects with shared attributes (color, shape, texture) are viewed as part of the same entity.
• Continuity: Consistent existence or perception over time; fluid continuation in visual perception.
• Connectedness: Perception of items that appear related or as one cohesive unit.

Visual Perception and Depth

• Closure: Perceiving incomplete shapes as finished wholes; brain fills gaps in visual information.
• Depth Perception: Ability to assess distances between objects in the field of vision.
• Binocular Cues: Depth cues arising from slightly different images received by each eye.
• Retinal Disparity: Difference in images from left and right eyes provides information on depth.
• Convergence: Inward movement of eyes for depth perception; eyes angle inward when focusing on closer objects.
• Monocular Cues: Depth cues available to one eye; important for perceiving depth in flat images.

Distance and Size Judgments

• Relative Size: Perception of size based on comparison with known objects; larger sizes typically indicate closeness.
• Interposition: Objects that overlap indicate depth; the obscured object is perceived as further away.
• Relative Clarity: Distant objects appear hazy due to atmospheric interference; clarity suggests proximity.
• Texture Gradient: Objects closer have more distinct textures than those farther away.
• Relative Height: Distant objects appear smaller and positioned higher in the visual field than nearer objects.
• Relative Motion: Movement of one object compared to another; crucial for detecting motion in a visual scene.
• Linear Perspective: Objects diminishing in size as they approach a vanishing point on the horizon.

Cues for Perception

• Light and Shadow: Light variations help the visual system determine depth and spatial relationships.
• Phi Phenomenon: Illusion of motion created by rapid succession of static images positioned slightly apart.
• Perceptual Constancy: Constant perception of familiar objects despite varying sensory input (shape, size, brightness).
• Size Constancy: Perceived size remains consistent despite changes in sensory input based on distance.
• Shape Constancy: Constant perception of an object's shape despite changes in viewing angle.
• Lightness Constancy: Perceptions of light and dark are affected by surrounding brightness, not just object properties; proposed by Hans Wallach.

Test your knowledge of key terms in AP Psychology with these flashcards. Each card includes a word and its definition, helping you understand fundamental concepts like Figure Ground, Grouping, and Proximity. Perfect for preparing for exams or reinforcing your learning.