Chapter 10 - Distortions of Perception

an illusion created by a misinterpretation (distortion or mistake) of the reality of a visual stimulus

the misinterpretation of two lines of equal length, each with different-shaped ends

a biological depth cue that involves the brain interpreting tension changes in the muscles around the eyes

the many characteristics of a group of people, including their attitudes, behaviours, customs and values, that are transmitted from one generation to the next

the theory that the two figures in the Müller-Lyer illusion represent three-dimensional objects viewed in our environment, for example, a Western rectangular house

the ability to perceive an object’s actual size, despite changes in our retinal images of the object

the image of an object formed on the retina of the eye

the theory that, if two objects cast the same-sized retinal image, but one is perceived to be further away, our brain interprets the more distant object as being larger

a specially constructed, trapezoid-shaped room, designed to create the visual illusion that it is rectangular, for an observer viewing the room through a peephole

depth cues that require both eyes to send information to the brain to perceive depth

depth cues that only require one eye to send information to the brain to perceive depth

the mind’s ability to perceive a visual stimulus as remaining constant even though the visual information sent to the brain about the object shows changes in shape, size, brightness and orientation

the ability to perceive an object’s actual shape, despite changes in the retinal image of the object

an illusion in which a dancer can be perceived as spinning clockwise or anticlockwise, and the same viewer can alternate between perceiving a clockwise or anticlockwise spin

the ability to spontaneously switch between different interpretations of the same ambiguous visual stimulus

a brain disorder that interferes with one’s ability to recognise or identify objects, people or sounds using one or more of the senses, despite the affected sensory system being otherwise fully functioning

an inability to recognise familiar visual stimuli due to problems with processing perceptions

an inability to recognise familiar visual stimuli, despite having no problems with processing perceptions

a type of visual agnosia involving an inability to recognise the faces of familiar people. Can be apperceptive or associative.

when an individual’s perceptual interpretation of a stimulus varies from how it is commonly perceived

a rare condition in which certain sensations are perceived using another system

the association of written letters and numbers with colours

the association of certain words with sensations of taste

a condition involving an inability to attend to sensory stimuli on one side of the body