Unit 4.2 Psychology Flashcards
(17 cards)
Hue
The dimension of color that is determined by the wavelength of light; what we know as the color names blue, green, and so forth
Wavelength
The distance from the peak of one light or sound age to the peak of the next. Electromagnetic wavelengths vary from the short blips of cosmic rays to the long pulses of radio transmission
Intensity
The amount of energy in a light or sound wave, which we perceive as brightness or loudness, as determined by the wave’s amplitude
Pupil
The adjustable opening in the center of the eye through which light enters
Iris
A ring of muscle tissue that forms the colored portion of the eye around the pupil and controls the size of the pupil opening
Lens
The transparent structure behind the pupil that changes shape to help focus images on the retina
Retina
The light-sensitive inner surface of the eye, containing the receptor rods and cones plus layers of neurons that begin the process of visual information
Accommodation
The process by which the eye’s lens changes shape to focus near or far object on the retina
Rods
Retinal receptors that detect black, white, and gray; necessary for peripheral and twilight vision, when cones don’t respond
Cones
Retinal receptor cells that are concentrated near the center of the retina and that function in daylight or in well-lot conditions. The cones detect for detail and give rise to color sensations
Blind spot
The point at which the optic nerve leaves the eye, creating a “blind” spot because no receptor cells are located there
Fovea
The central focal point in the retina, around which the eye’ scones cluster
Feature detectors
Nerve cells in the brain that respond to specific features of the stimulus, such as shape, angle, or movement
Parallel processing
The processing of many aspects of a problem simultaneously; the brain’s natural mode of information processing for many functions, including vision. Contrasts with the step-by-step processing of most computers and of conscious problem solving
Young-Helmholtz (three-color) theory
The theory that the retina contains three different color receptors- one most sensitive to red, one to green, and one to blue- which, when stimulated in combination, can produce the perception of any color
Opponent-process theory
The theory that opposing retinal processes (red-green, yellow-blue, white-black) enable color vision. For example, some cells are stimulated by green and inhibited by red; others are stimulated by red and inhibited by green
Optic nerve
The nerve that carries neural impulses from the eye to the brain
