unit 2 part 1 vocab Flashcards
(86 cards)
inattentional blindness
failing to see visible objects when our attention is directed elsewhere
perceptual set
a mental predisposition to perceive one thing and not another
gestalt
an organized whole. psychologists emphasized our tendency to integrate pieces of information into meaningful wholes
figure ground
the organization of the visual field into objects (the figures) that stand out from their surroundings (the ground)
depth perception
the ability to see objects in three dimensions although the images that strike the retina are two-dimensional; allows us to judge distance
visual cliff
a laboratory device for testing depth perception in infants and young animals
binocular cue
a depth cue, such as retinal disparity, that depends on the use of two eyes
convergence
a cue to nearby objects’ distance, enabled by the brain combining retinal images
retinal disparity
a binocular cue for perceiving depth. By comparing retinal images from the two eyes, the brain computes distance — the greater the disparity (difference) between the two images, the closer the object
monocular cue
a depth cue, such as interposition or linear perspective, available to either eye alone
stroboscopic movement
an illusion of continuous movement (as in a motion picture) experienced when viewing a rapid series of slightly varying still images
assimilation
interpreting our new experiences in terms of our existing schemas
accommodation
in developmental psychology, adapting our current schemas (understandings) to incorporate new information
convergent thinking
narrowing the available problem solutions to determine the single best solution
divergent thinking
expanding the number of possible problem solutions; creative thinking that diverges in different directions
Robert Sternberg
American psychologist best known for his research on intelligence, love, creativity, and cognitive styles. proposed the triarchic theory of intelligence
executive functions
cognitive skills that work together, enabling us to generate, organize, plan, and implement goal-directed behavior
algorithm
a methodical, logical rule or procedure that guarantees solving a particular problem; contrasts with the usually speedier — but also more error-prone — use of heuristics
heuristic
a simple thinking strategy — a mental shortcut — that often allows us to make judgments and solve problems efficiently; usually speedier but also more error-prone than an algorithm
insight
a sudden realization of a problem’s solution; contrasts with strategy-based solutions
confirmation bias
a tendency to search for information that supports our preconceptions and to ignore or distort contradictory evidence
fixation
in cognition, the inability to see a problem from a new perspective; an obstacle to problem solving
phi phenomenon
an illusion of movement created when two or more adjacent lights blink on and off in quick succession
perceptual constancy
perceiving objects as unchanging (having consistent color, brightness, shape, and size) even as illumination and retinal images change