Module 9: Perception, emotions and Synthesia

Muller-Lyer Illusion

A line of identical length appears longer when it ends in a set of arrowheads pointing inward than a set pointing outwards.

Depth Perception

Ability to see spatial relations in three dimensions

Perception

After information enters our sensory systems, our brains organize the sensory data into meaningful concepts. Based on partial information they make our semi-accurate guesses.

Perceptual Constancy

Allows us to perceive stimuli consistently across varied conditions including shape, size, and color differences.

Bottom-Up Processing

Building a whole stimulus from its parts, perceiving an object based on its edges. Results from activity in the association cortex.

Prospagnosia

Face blindness, resulting form brain trauma or stroke. Neurons in the lower part of the temporal lobe that deal with facial perception and recognition are affected.

Perceptual Set

Formed when out expectations influence our perceptions (Top-down)

Phi Phenomenon (Illusory Perception)

Movement produced by successive flashing images; flashing lights and images jumping from one spot to another like in animation.

Top-Down Processing

Relies on beliefs and expectations, "flows" from higher levels and is conceptually driven. Results from activity in the association cortex first, which is then processed by the visual cortex.

Monocular Depth Cues

Rely on one eye only; relative size texture gradient, interposition, linear perspective, height in plane, and light and shadow

Binocular disparity

Require both eyes; left and right transmit different information allowing us to percieve depth

Binocular convergence

Require both eyes; reflexively focusing on nearby objects with eye muscles to turn out eyes inward thru flexing.

Emotions (Plutchik)

Response to objects and events that take place in the environment, facilitation of action that will have an affect on the world around us and must be inferred; feelings, behavior, physiological changes, and cognitive appraisal

Parallel Processing

The brain divides what it sees into four components: color, motion, shape, depth. These are individually analyzed and then compared to stored memories, which helps the brain identify what you are viewing and combines all of these into the the field of view that you see/comprehend.

Motion Perception

To determine motion, the brain compares visual frames of what is to what is to what was

Synesthesia

describing one kind of sensation in terms of another ("a loud color", "a sweet sound")