INTRODUCTION

• Human Factors, the study of man-machine systems
• Epistemology, the branch of philosophy that deals with how we know what we know

• Weber's Law and his method of just noticable differences
• Fechner's Law and his method of detecting the absolute threshold
• Singnal Detection Theory - how motivation influences absolute thresholds

• The Visual Spectrum and The Eye
• Color Vision
• Tri-Chromatic Theory (3 types of cones)
• Opponent-Process Theory (3 pairs of ganglion cells to explain color blindness and afterimages)

Depth Perception

• Binocular Cues
• Monocular Cues
• Form Perception from a Gestalt Perspective
• Figure-Ground
• Perceptual Grouping
• Perceptual Constancy

Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up Processing

• Visual Illusions
• Extrasensory Perception

Chapter 5-6 Sensation and Perception.

1. Contrast the processes of sensation and perception.

2. Distinguish between absolute and difference thresholds.

3. Discuss whether subliminal stimuli are sensed, and whether they are persuasive.

4. Describe the phenomenon of sensory adaptation and show how it focuses our attention on changing stimulation.

5. Explain the visual process, including the stimulus input, the structure of the eye, and the transformation of light energy into neural impulses.

6. Describe how visual information is processed at increasingly abstract levels and in parallel.

7. Discuss how both the Young-Helmholtz and the opponent-process theories contribute to our understanding of color vision.

8. Explain color constancy and discuss its significance to our understanding of vision.

9. Explain the auditory process, including the stimulus input, the structure and function of the ear, and how sounds are located.

10. Describe the senses of touch and pain and explain the gate-control theory of pain.

11. Describe the senses of taste and smell, and comment on the nature of sensory interaction.

12. Explain how kinesthesis and the vestibular sense contribute to our ability to function.

13. Discuss Gestalt psychology's contribution to our understanding of perception, including the figure-ground relationship and principles of perceptual grouping in form perception.

14. Discuss research on depth perception involving the use of the visual cliff and describe the binocular and monocular cues in depth perception.

15. Describe the perceptual constancies and show how they operate in visual illusions.

16. Discuss research findings on sensory restriction and restored vision.

17. Explain what the use of distorting goggles indicates regarding the adaptability of perception.

18. Discuss the effects of experiences, assumptions, expectations, and contexts on our perceptions.

19. State the claims of ESP and explain why most research psychologists remain skeptical.

Vision in Art

Auditory Information

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