Sensation & Perception
Sensation & Perception
• Sensation is the process that allows our brains to take in
information via our five senses, which can then be
experienced and interpreted by the brain.
• Perception refers to the way the world looks, sounds,
feels, tastes or smells.
– It is everything that is experienced by a person.
– Perception results from the sensory input and the way we
process the sensory information
Attention
• It refers to the perceptual processes that
select certain inputs for inclusion in our
conscious experience, or awareness at any
given time
Characteristics of Attention
• Process of Attention divide our field of experience into
a focus and a margin.
• Events that we perceive clearly are at focus of
experience & those perceived dimly are in margin of
attention.
• Example: Experience at Football Game
• Attention is unstable between Focus & Margin
Attention & Processing of Information
• Filtering: We cannot process all the
information in our sensory channels, hence
we filter or partially block out some inputs
while letting others through.
• Parallel vs. Serial Processing
• Cocktail Party Phenomenon
Broadbent's Filter Model of Attention
• Some Theorists believe that filtering occurs after
analyzing it for its meaningfulness
• Some theories are based on idea of Processing Capacity
– We must allocate our processing capacity to one set of
inputs or other
– Inputs requiring most of our processing capacity are focus
of our attention.
– Example: Reading of New Comprehensive Content & Radio
in Background
Increasing Attention
• We do not register much of filtered
conversation
• We are attentive to novel stimuli
• Minimize Multitasking
Principles of Perceptual Organization
Gestalt Laws of Perceptual Organizati on
FIGURE GROUND PERCEPTION
Stimuli that contrast with their background are more likely to be noticed.
Depth Perception
• It refers to localization of perceived objects in phenomenal space in regard to the
distance between objects of perception and the individual.
• Occurs in Visual Modalities, Hearing & in Haptics
Monocular Cues for Depth Percepti on
• Operates when only one eye is looking
• Used by painters to give 3D experience from a flat painting
– Linear Perspective: Distances separating images of far objects appear to be smaller
– Clearness: More clearly we see an object, we perceive it as nearer
– Interposition: When one object obstructs our view of another, we perceive
completely visible one as nearer than the other.
– Shadows: The pattern of shadows or highlights in an object is also important in giving
impression of depth.
– Gradients of Texture: A gradient is continuous change in something. It gives eye &
brain information that can be used to produce an experience
– Movement: Direction of movement of objects when we turn our heads can be cue for
relative distance of objects
• Far Objects: Less Movement Near Objects: More Movement
Identify the Monocular Depth Cues
A Rainy Day in Paris
Gustav Caillebotte (1848-1894)
Binocular Cues of Depth Perception
Retinal Disparity:
• It is the difference in the images falling on the
retina of two eyes.
• Closer the object, greater is the disparity
Convergence:
• It is the muscle tension that results from the
external eye muscles that control eye movement.
Movement Perception
REAL MOVEMENT
– Refers to physical displacement of an object from one position to another depending only on the movement of
images across retina.
– Eyes are stationary and images move across the retina
ILLUSIONARY/APPARENT MOVEMENT
– It is perceived movement created by stationary objects in which objectivity does not take place.
– With no movement of head, eyes, body, object, still movement is perceived
Types of Illusionary Movements
1) Stroboscopic Motion/Phi Phenomenon
• A movie projector simply throws successive pictures of a moving scene onto a screen. When
frames are presented at right speed, we perceive continuous, smooth motion.
2) Auto kinetic Effect
• If person stares at small stationary spot of light in a dark room, spot will appear to move.
3) Induced Movement
• Stationary object is perceived as moving when its frame or background moves.
PERCEPTUAL CONSTANCY
• Stability of environment as we perceive it is
called as Perceptual Constancy
• Objects are seen of same size when seen at
different distances & of same color in different
illuminations
• Example: Man, Dinner Plate, Sound
Size Constancy
• Size of the representation (image) of the object on retina of the
eye depends upon distance of the object from the eye.
• Farther the object, smaller is the representation
• Closer the object, larger is the representation
• Example; you cross the road to speak to a friend
Holway & Boring: Why Size Constancy Occurs?
• People use distance & background information to correct the size
of their retinal representations, thus keeping their perception
relatively constant.
• No correction is required, as object and its background change
together and relation between two remains the same
Size Constancy & Illusions
The Corridor Illusion
• If objects of same physical size are perceived to be at different distances, the
observer, taking apparent distance into account, perceives object that is farther
away as larger.
The Moon Illusion
• Whether moon is high in the sky or on the horizon, its representation on retina is
of same size, but its perceived as much larger on the horizon.
Shape Constancy
• Perceived shape of the object tend to remain the same irrespective of the
positions under which we view them.
• The shape of a familiar object is perceived as constant in spite of the fact that
retinal image it projects varies widely according to the angle from which it is
viewed.
Brightness Constancy
• Visual objects appear constant in their degree of whiteness, grayness or
blackness, even though the amount of physical energy reflected from them may
change enormously.
• Example: Coal, Chalk
Why Brightness Constancy Occurs?
• When Illumination changes, it changes over the whole field E.g. Book
• The physical energy ration between an object and its surrounding stays constant.
• Unchanged brightness ratios give constant brightness experiences.
THE AUDITORY SYSTEM
HOW DO WE EXPERIENCE SOUND?
• Hearing is a response to pressure
• Physical Dimensions of Sound Waves
– Amplitude:
– Frequency:
• Psychological Dimensions of Sound Waves
– Loudness
– Pitch
• Properties of Sound
– Loudness: Physical Intensity of the sound. Is measured in decibels (db)
– Pitch : Highness or Lowness of a sound
– Timbre: Nature of the sound. It reflects complexity of sound waves.
Structure Of The Ear & Seeing
• Pinna of External Year ----- Auditory Canal ----- Eardrum ------Ossicles ------- Cochlea
--------Cochlea Canals (Vestibular, Cochlear, Tymphanic) ------Oval Window -------
Sealing off the end of Vestibular Canal -------Waves reach Organ of Corti --------When
these are bent, receptor potential starts
VISION
• Vision starts with Electro Magnetic Radiation
• Wavelength: The distance between peak of one wave to the peak of the next
• Electromagnetic Spectrum: The entire range of Wavelengths
– Wavelengths of Gamma Rays: 10 trillionths a meter
– Wavelengths of Radio Waves: Thousands of meters
• Visible Spectrum: Although all the wavelengths of electromagnetic spectrum are the
same, only those in middle of the range of radiant energies are visible/can be seen
• In Visible Spectrum Wavelengths are expressed in terms of nanometer (nm)
Structure Of The Eye & Seeing
Structure of Eye & Seeing
Pupil – Cornea – Lens – Interiors of Eyeball – Rods/Cones (Retina) at back
of eyeball
• Pupil: It is the black hole located at centre of Iris that allows light to enter the
retina
• Cornea: Rays of lights are bent or refracted, by cornea to bring them to focus
on retina
• Lens: By changing its shape, it simply adds enough to basic corneal refraction
to bring light from near objects to a sharp focus in retina.
Reti na & Seeing
RODS & CONES
• Light sensitive elements of retina dealing with transduction of Physical
Energy into Receptor Potentials
– Rods: Active in very Dim Light
– Cones: Active in bright light or day light
Blind Spot
– Region of retina where no rods & cones are available
Fovea
– Region of retina where, maximum cones are available and no rods
– Visual Acuity/Sharpness is the greatest
– Responsible for Color Vision
Nerve Impulses are then generated in Ganglion Cells – then travel to Brain along
Optic Nerve – this pattern signals visual event
Relati onships in Vision
A visual experience can have HUE, BRIGHTNESS & FORM
Hue
– Sensations of Hue depends upon wavelength of light.
– If there is Single Wavelength, we perceive Single Color
– If Several Wavelengths are mixed, hue depends on proportions contributed by each
wavelength
– Saturation: Degree to which Hue is not diluted by whiteness
Brightness
– Is determined by intensity of physical stimulus
– Dimensions of brightness extend from Black to White & through the shades of Gray
Form
– It depends upon differences in amounts of energy focused on different parts of retina.
Relati onships in Vision
A visual experience can have HUE, BRIGHTNESS & FORM
Hue
– Sensations of Hue depends upon wavelength of light.
– If there is Single Wavelength, we perceive Single Color
– If Several Wavelengths are mixed, hue depends on proportions contributed by each
wavelength
– Saturation: Degree to which Hue is not diluted by whiteness
Brightness
– Is determined by intensity of physical stimulus
– Dimensions of brightness extend from Black to White & through the shades of Gray
Form
– It depends upon differences in amounts of energy focused on different parts of retina.
