AP Psychology Flashcards (p. 163-182)

Questions and Answers

What is perceptual organization?

The task of determining what edges and other stimuli go together to form an object (correct)

A depth cue whereby closer objects block one's view of things farther away

The ability to perceive distance

An illusion in which lights or images flashed in rapid succession are perceived as moving

What is depth perception?

The ability to perceive distance.

What does interposition refer to in depth cues?

A depth cue whereby closer objects block one's view of things farther away.

Define relative size in terms of depth perception.

A depth cue whereby larger objects are perceived as closer than smaller ones. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by height in the visual field?

A depth cue whereby objects higher in the visual field are perceived as more distant. Signup and view all the answers

Explain linear perspective.

A depth cue whereby objects closer to the point at which two lines appear to converge are perceived as being at a greater distance. Signup and view all the answers

What does texture gradient imply?

A graduated change in the texture, or grain, of the visual field, whereby objects with finer, less detailed textures are perceived as more distant. Signup and view all the answers

Define motion parallax.

A depth cue whereby a difference in the apparent rate of movement of different objects provides information about the relative distance of those objects. Signup and view all the answers

What is accommodation in terms of vision?

The ability of the lens of the eye to change its shape and bend light rays so that objects are in focus. Signup and view all the answers

Explain convergence.

A depth cue involving the rotation of the eyes to project the image of an object on each retina. Signup and view all the answers

What does binocular disparity refer to?

A depth cue based on the difference between two retinal images of the world. Signup and view all the answers

Define looming.

A motion cue involving a rapid expansion in the size of an image so that it fills the retina. Signup and view all the answers

What is stroboscopic motion?

An illusion in which lights or images flashed in rapid succession are perceived as moving. Signup and view all the answers

What does perceptual constancy mean?

The perception of objects as constant in size, shape, color, and other properties despite changes in the retinal image. Signup and view all the answers

What is top-down processing?

Aspects of recognition that are guided by higher-level cognitive processes and psychological factors such as expectations. Signup and view all the answers

Define bottom-up processing.

Aspects of recognition that depend first on the information about the stimulus that comes to the brain from the sensory receptors. Signup and view all the answers

What are schemas?

Mental representations of what we know, and have come to expect, about the world. Signup and view all the answers

What is the parallel distributed processing (PDP) model?

An approach to understanding object recognition in which various elements of the object are thought to be simultaneously analyzed by a number of widely distributed, but connected, neural units in the brain. Signup and view all the answers

Define attention in psychology.

The process of directing and focusing psychological resources to enhance perception, performance, and mental experience. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Perceptual Processes

Perceptual Organization: Determines which edges and stimuli combine to form identifiable objects.
Depth Perception: Ability to perceive distances between objects, crucial for spatial awareness.

Depth Cues

Interposition: Closer objects obstruct distant ones, providing depth information.
Relative Size: Larger objects are perceived as closer than smaller ones, aiding in depth perception.
Height in the Visual Field: Objects positioned higher appear more distant, contributing to depth perception.
Linear Perspective: Objects near the convergence point of two lines are viewed as farther away.
Texture Gradient: Finer textures indicate greater distance, as textures change gradually with distance.
Motion Parallax: Differences in movement rate among objects indicate their relative distances.

Visual Mechanisms

Accommodation: Lens adjustment to focus light rays for clear vision of varied objects.
Convergence: Rotational movement of the eyes to focus on an object, providing depth information.
Binocular Disparity: Variance between images on each retina serves as an essential depth cue.

Motion Perception

Looming: Rapid enlargement of an object's image on the retina signals proximity.
Stroboscopic Motion: Rapid sequence of images perceived as continuous motion creates motion illusions.

Perceptual Stability

Perceptual Constancy: Objects are perceived as stable in size, shape, and color despite changes in sensory input.

Cognitive Processing

Top-Down Processing: Recognition influenced by higher cognitive functions and prior expectations.
Bottom-Up Processing: Recognition based on sensory data received first by the brain.

Mental Structures

Schemas: Mental frameworks formed from experiences and expectations influencing perception.
Parallel Distributed Processing (PDP) Model: Object recognition involves simultaneous analysis of various elements by interconnected neural units.

Attention

Attention: A focus of mental resources that enhances perception, performance, and overall cognitive experience.

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Test your knowledge of key concepts from AP Psychology covering perceptual organization, depth perception, interposition, and relative size. These flashcards will help reinforce your understanding of these essential psychological principles. Perfect for exam preparation or quick reviews.