MCAT Psychology
motion parallax
a depth cue in which the relative movement of elements in a scene gives depth
information when observer is also moving
-things farther away move slower, vice-versa
-monocular clue
size constancy
the tendency to interpret an object as always being the same actual size, regardless
of its distance
shape constancy
the tendency to interpret the shape of an object as being constant, even when its
shape changes on the retina
color constancy
perceiving familiar objects as having consistent color, even if changing illumination
alters the wavelengths reflected by the object
downregulation (to light intensity)
light adaptation
-When it is bright out, pupils constrict (less light enters back of eye), and the
desensitization of rods and cones become desensitized to light)
,upregulation
dark regulation
-Pupils dilate-, rods and cones start synthesizing light sensitive molecules
just noticeable difference (JND)
the minimal change in a stimulus that can just barely be detected
can be detected 50% of the time
Weber's Law
the just noticeable difference of a stimulus is a constant proportion despite
variations in intensity
Absolute threshold of sensation
minimum intensity of physical stimulus needed to detect a particular stimulus 50% of
the time
-can be influenced by a number of factors, including psychological states
non-adapting neuron
neuron fires at constant rate
,slow-adapting neuron
neuron fires in beginning of stimulus and calms down after a while
fast-adapting neuron
fires as soon as stimulus starts, stops, then starts up again once stimulus stops
signal detection theory
a theory predicting how and when we detect the presence of a faint stimulus
amid background stimulation (noise). Assumes there is no single absolute
threshold and that detection depends partly on a person's experience, expectations,
motivation, and alertness.
-ex. exhausted parents will notice the faintest whimper from a newborn's cradle while
failing to notice louder, unimportant sounds
d' (signal detection theory)
strength of a signal
Conservative strategy (signal detection theory)
Always say no unless 100% sure signal is present. Can lead to some misses
, Liberal strategy (signal detection theory)
always say yes, even if get false alarms
signal distribution p.1
signal distribution p.2
Gestalt's Principles
ways the brain can infer missing parts of a picture when a picture is
incomplete
ex. pragnaz - reducing olympic symbol into 5 circles rather than more complex shape
law of common fate (Gestalt)
things that are moving in the same direction appear to be grouped together
Law of Past Experiences (Gestalt)
Implies that under some circumstances visual stimuli are categorized
according to past experience.
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