The way the brain makes sense of the visual image detected by the eyes.
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Retina
The light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. It is made up of nerve cells called rods and cones.
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Rods
Light-sensitive cells in the retina that respond even in dim light.
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Cones
Light-sensitive cells in the retina that can detect colour.
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Optic nerve
Bundle of nerve cells that leads out from the retina at the back of the eye. It carries information from the rods and cones to the brain.
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Blindspot
The area of the retina where the optic nerve leaves. It has no rods or cones so cannot detect light.
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Optic chiasma
The cross-shape where some of the information from the left and right eye crosses over to pass into the opposite side of the brain.
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Visual cortex
The area at the back of the brain that interprets visual information.
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Depth cues
The visual 'clues' that we use to understand depth or distance.
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Monocular depth cues
Information about distance that comes from one eye, such as superimposition, relative size, texture gradient, linear perspective and height in the plane.
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Binocular depth cues
Information about distance that needs two eyes, such as stereopsis.
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Size constancy
We perceive an object as the same size even when its distance from us changes.
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Relative size
Smaller objects are perceived as further away than larger ones.
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Texture gradient
An area with a detailed pattern is perceived to be nearer than one with less detail.
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Height in the plane
Objects closer to the horizon are perceived to be more distant than ones below or above the horizon.
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Superimposition
A partly hidden object must be further away than the object covering it.
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Linear perspective
Parallel lines appear to converge (meet) in the distance.
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Stereopsis
A binocular cue to depth. The greater the difference between the view seen by the left eye and the right eye, the closer the viewer is looking.
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Figure - ground
A small, complex, symmetrical object (the figure) is seen as separate from a background (ground).
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Similarity
Figures sharing size, shape or colour are grouped together with other things that look the same.
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Proximity
Objects which are close together are perceived to be related.
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Continuity
Straight lines, curves and shapes are perceived to carry on being the same.
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Closure
Lines or shapes are perceived as complete figures even if parts are missing.
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Fiction
An illusion caused when a figure is perceived even though it is not present in the stimulus.
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Illusory contour
A boundary (edge) that is perceived in a figure but is not present in the stimulus.
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Motion after-effect
An illusion caused by paying attention to movement in one direction and perceiving movement in the opposite direction immediately afterwards.
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Colour after-effect
An illusion caused by focusing on a coloured stimulus and perceiving opposite colours immediately afterwards.
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Visual illusion
A conflict between reality and what we perceive.
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Ambiguous figure
A stimulus with two possible interpretations, in which it is possible to perceive only one of the alternatives at any time.
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Distortion illusion
Where our perception is deceived by some aspect of the stimulus. This can affect the shape or size of an object.
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
The light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. It is made up of nerve cells called rods and cones.
Back
Retina
Card 3
Front
Light-sensitive cells in the retina that respond even in dim light.
Back
Card 4
Front
Light-sensitive cells in the retina that can detect colour.
Back
Card 5
Front
Bundle of nerve cells that leads out from the retina at the back of the eye. It carries information from the rods and cones to the brain.
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