Perception - AP Psychology

Closure is the tendency to perceive incomplete figures as complete. The mind fills in missing parts to create whole forms.

Proximity is grouping objects close to each other as part of a group. Objects near each other are seen as belonging together.

Similarity is grouping objects that are similar in appearance. Items sharing characteristics are perceived as related.

The principle of continuity. We perceive smooth, continuous paths rather than abrupt changes.

Depth perception is the ability to perceive the world in three dimensions. It allows us to judge distance and spatial relationships.

Convergence. Eyes turn inward more for closer objects.

Retinal disparity provides depth cues from the difference between two eyes' images. Slightly different images from each eye create depth.

Parallel lines appear to converge with distance. Creates illusion of depth through vanishing points.

The cocktail party effect is the ability to focus on a single conversation in a noisy environment. Selective attention filters competing auditory stimuli.

The visual cortex processes visual information from the eyes. Interprets visual signals into meaningful images.

Perception is the process of organizing and interpreting sensory information. It transforms raw sensory data into meaningful experiences.

Closure is the tendency to perceive incomplete figures as complete. The mind fills in missing parts to create whole forms.

Schemas organize and interpret information, influencing perception. Mental frameworks guide information processing and understanding.

Interposition is when one object overlaps another, perceived as closer. Overlapping objects signal depth relationships.

Texture gradient is the detail loss with distance, aiding depth perception. Objects appear less detailed as distance increases.

Perceptual constancy is perceiving objects as unchanging despite changes in sensory input. Maintains stable perception despite changing sensory conditions.

Size constancy is perceiving objects as having a constant size despite distance changes. Objects maintain perceived size regardless of viewing distance.

Shape constancy is perceiving objects as having a constant shape despite angle changes. Objects appear same shape from different viewing angles.

It is a visual illusion where lines of the same length appear different due to arrow-like ends. Arrow-like fins make equal lines appear unequal.

Ames Room illusion distorts perception of size and shape due to irregular room design. Trapezoidal room creates false size perceptions.

Bottom-up processing is perception starting from sensory input. Raw sensory data is processed without prior knowledge.

Top-down processing is perception guided by higher-level mental processes. Prior knowledge and expectations shape interpretation.

Selective attention is focusing on a particular stimulus while ignoring others. Concentrates mental resources on relevant information.

The cocktail party effect is the ability to focus on a single conversation in a noisy environment. Selective attention filters competing auditory stimuli.

Inattentional blindness is failing to see visible objects when attention is directed elsewhere. Focused attention creates blind spots to other stimuli.

Change blindness is failing to notice changes in the environment. Attention limits prevent noticing environmental alterations.

A perceptual set is expecting to see a friend in a crowd and mistakenly identifying strangers as them. Mental expectations bias visual recognition processes.

Context influences how we perceive sensory information. Environmental factors modify sensory interpretation.

It is the tendency to perceive the simplest form of a visual field. Gestalt principle favoring simple, organized patterns.