The process of organizing and interpreting sensory information, enabling us to recognize meaningful objects and events.

Things that are near each other seem to be grouped together. Example: The circles on the left appear to be part of one grouping while those on the right appear to be part of another. Because objects are close to each other, we group them together.

Points that are connected by straight or curving lines are seen in a way that follows the smoothest path. Example: Rather than seeing separate lines and angles,  lines are seen as belonging together.

The ability to see objects in three dimensions although the images that strike the retina are two-dimensional; allows us to judge distance.

Each eye sees a slightly different image because they are about 6 cm apart (on average). Your brain puts the two images it receives together into a single three-dimensional image.

Parallel lines appear to converge at a vanishing point on the horizon. The closer the lines are, the greater the distance

The partial blocking of one object by another object, leaving the viewer with the perspective that the blocking object is closer.

An illusion of movement created when two or more adjacent lights blink on and off in quick succession, like Christmas lights.

The minimum stimulation needed to detect a particular stimulus 50% of the time. Our lowest levels of awareness of faint stimuli with no competing stimuli present.

-German Philosopher and psychologist

-Founded the field of psychophysics and is considered to be the founder of modern experimental psychology

-Discovered the code effect in which the observation of different colors when black and white patterns are moving at a high speed

-The first ti study synesthesia, a condition in which the stimulation of one sensory system leads to an involuntary response by another sensory sytem

 Mental filters or maps that organize our information about the world (also associated with Piaget and Development)

The process of directing our awareness to relevant stimuli while ignoring irrelevant stimuli in the environment

the light-sensitive inner surface of the eye that contains the receptor rods and cones plus layers of neurons that begin the processing of transduction for vision.

nerve cells in the brain that respond to specific features of the stimulus, such as shape, angle, or movement. The brain delegates the work of processing motion, form, depth, and color to different areas and then integrates them into the perceived image.

a clouding of the eye’s lens which results in vision difficulties. The symptoms include seeing faded colors, blurry figures, double, halos and surrounding light. Also, those with this condition may have difficulties with bright lights, darkness, reading, and recognizing faces.

 the number of complete wavelengths that pass a point in a given time.

The fleshy outside part of the ear.

links pitch we hear with the place where the cochlea’s membrane is stimulated.

the system for sensing the position and movement of individual body parts.