Psychology Topic A

How do we see our world?

?
  • Created by: M
  • Created on: 07-05-12 13:37

How do we see?

The light reflected from an object makes an image on the retina which is a layer at the back of the eye

The retina is sensitive to light and sends nerve impulses to the brain.

This is possible because the retina is covered with thousands of cells that can detect light.

Rods: They are very sensitive to light and they also respond to movement

Cones: These only work in bright light and can detect different colours

Rods and cones are special neve cells.

When enough light falls on them, they respond by sending a nerve impulse. The nerve impulses travel along the optic nerve to the brain.

1 of 13

The optic nerve and the brain

At the point where the optic nerve leaves the eye, there is no space for any rods or cones.

This little area is therefore blind

This area is called a blind spot. There is a blind spot in each eye.

The information from the retina goes along the optic nerve to the brain.

Information from the left and the right eye crosses at a point called the optic chiasma.

From the optic chiasma, visual information is carried to the back of the brain.

Many visual processes happen in the area called the visual cortex.

2 of 13

Depth and size

Size consistancy:

When an object is close, our brain scales it down in size so that it looks normal rather than enormous.

When an object is far away it is scaled up sop that it looks normal size rather than tiny. 

This is known as size consistancy

Distant= scaled up=bigger on retina

Nearby= scaled down= smaller on retina

3 of 13

Monocular depth cues 1

Relative size:

  • This helps us to understand that closer objects appear bigger and objects in the distance appear smaller.

Texture gradient:

  • When you are looking at something with texture nearby, you are able to see a lot of detail. From further away, the texture is less clear.

Height in plane:

  • Above the horizon is further away and below the horizon is close. If things are close to the horizon they seem further away and if they are further away from the horizon they seem closer.
4 of 13

Monocular depth cues 2

Superimposition:

  • This basically means layering or overlapping. When one object is in front of the other, we assume that the one in front is closer and the one behind is further away.

Linear perspective:

  • Parallel lines getting close means being further away and when they appear to be the same distance apart they appear to be closer.

Vanishing point:

  • This is where parallel lines appear to meet on the horizon, they appear to be further away.
5 of 13

Stereopsis

This a binocular depth cue.

It is when the brain compares the view from the left and the right eye.

If the view is the same, the object is in the distance.

If the view is different, the object is close up.

The brain uses one image as dominant and the other image is mapped onto it.

6 of 13

Gestalt laws

Figure and ground:

  • A small complex symmetrical object is seen as separate from the background

Similarity:

  • Figures sharing size, shape or colour are grouped together with other objects that look the same

Proximity: 

  • Objects which are close together are perceived to be related

Continuity: 

  • Straight lines, curves and shapes are perceived to carry on being the same

Closure

  • Objects are perceived as complete figures even if parts are missing
7 of 13

Illusions

Visual illusions occur when our perception conflicts with reality

We see an illusion when we misinterpret a stimulus; the physical reality and our perception disagree

There are three types of illusion: fictions, ambiguous figures and distortions

FICTIONS occur when you perceive a shape that is not actually there. Sometimes we perceive edges amd believe that a shape exists when there is no actual boundary.

DISTORTIONS occur when our perception is deceived by some aspect of the stimulus. A straight line may appear curved or a shape may look bigger than it actually is. 

AMBIGUOUS FIGURES occur when a stimulus can be perceived in two ways. But, only one alternative can be seen at a time.

8 of 13

Gestalt theory of illusions

Fictions:

  • When we see a figure which is incomplete, our perception makes a whole shape, using closure. We complete the edges to make a regular or familiar shape. this is the figure of the figure- ground relationship. In the case of the Kaniza triangle, the "pac- men" and the space around them become the figure. The space between them is the white triangle.

Distortions:

  • When perceiving the figure as a whole we tend to add lines to the central lines. In the top image, the lines are pulling the central lines together, making it look smaller and vice versa.

Ambiguous figures:

  • A stimulus with two possible interpretations in which it is possible to perceive only one of the alternatives at any time. You often swap between alternatives.
9 of 13

Evaluating the Gestalt theory

STRENGTHS:

  • It provides a good explanation for ambiguous figures
  • It explains fictions well
  • It can explain many illusions

WEAKNESSES:

  • It can not explain any distortions other than the Muller-Lyer illusion
  • If we used closure to explain the Kaniza triangle, we could see a six pointed star.
  • The theory seems to use different explanations at different times.
10 of 13

Gregory's theory of illusions

Hering

  • In the Hering illusion, the radiating lines look like a linear perspective cue. Linear perspective is a depth cue. It is the apparent convergence of parallel lines in the distance. This linear perspective seems to make the two horizontal, straight lines seem curved at the centre point.

Ponzo

  • In the Ponzo illusion, the top line looks a lot bigger than the bottom line but in fact, they are the same size.' This illusion uses linear perspective. The closer the two vertical lines are to each other, the further away we perceive them to be. 

Muller-Lyer

  • The Muller Lyer illusion can also be explained using the ideas of linear perspective and consistancy scaling. The depth cue of linear perspective is when lines appear to meet. In this illusion, the arrows on the top close the line whereas the ones of the bottom open the line, making it look bigger.
11 of 13

Evaluating Gregory's theory

STRENGTHS:

  • The Hering and the Ponzo illusions agree with the theory
  • It is a good way to explain distortions
  • The Necker cube requires superimposition

WEAKNESSES:

  • It doesn't agree with the Muller-Lyer illusion circle illusions as circles cannot give cues to depth.
  • On the Necker cube, without the cue of superimposition, it doesn't really work
12 of 13

Schemas and eyewitness memory

Schema:

  • A schema is a framework of knowledge about an object, event of group of people that can affect our perception and help us to organise information and recall what we have seen
  • Schemas can affect eye witness accounts because if we witness a robbery, our schema may affect that way we remember it. If we have a certain scheme about black men committing robberies then we may think we saw a black man committing the robbery; even if it was not.
13 of 13

Comments

juela

Report

Great stuff. thanks for putting so much time and effort!!

GeorgiaMe98

Report

These are great! Thank you so much :) The Topic B ones are awesome as well!!

Similar Psychology resources:

See all Psychology resources »