Perception and Attention

• Perception


  Processes we recognize, organize and make sense of sensation
• Bottom-up Theories


  • Direct perception (James J. Gibson) - sensory receptors perceive everything (ENVIRONMENT- ecological perception)
  • Template theories (myriad set of templates) - highly detailed pattern models we recognize (compare) to match what we observe
  • Feature theories (Feature-matching theories) - recognition by components theory (IRVING BIEDERM) - 3d object perceived by geometric shapes
  • Geons/geometrical fons - we quickly recognize objects by observing the edges decomposing objects
  • Pandemonium Model - DECODING (Multiple choice questions, Image demons, Feature demons, Cognitive demons, Decision demons)
• Top-down Theories


  • Constructive approach/intelligent perception - builds cognitive understanding of stimulus (use sensory information)
• Basis of perception


  Sensory data, Knowledge stored in memory, Infer using high level cognitive processes
• Configural-superiority effect - configurations easier to recognize than isolation
• Object superiority - target line 3d object as accurately identified than 2d pattern
• Word superiority - strings of letters (single letter identification that forms a word instead of nonsense) easier to identify
• Viewer-centered representation


  • Stores the way the object looks to him or her (APPEARANCE OVER STRUCTURE)
• Object-centered representation


  • Object representation independent of appearance
• Landmark-centered information


  • Relation to prominent item
• Feature analysis system


  • Recognition of object parts assemble
• Configurational system


  • Recognition of larger configuration
• Prosopagnosia


  Inability to recognize faces but can recognize if a person is sad, happy or angry
• Perceptual constancies


  Perception of object remains the same despite changes
• Size constancy


  Maintain same size despite changes
• Shape constancy


  Maintains same shape despite changes
• Attention


  Selective concentration while ignoring other things, withdrawal from things to deal with others
• Attention span


  Time a person concentrates without being distracted
• Different aspects of Attention

  • Selective
  • Divided
  • Automaticity
  • Focused attention
  • Sustained attention
  • Alternating attention
• Selective attention


  Behavioral/cognitive face of distracting/competing Stimuli (SPECIFIC FOCUS)
• Divided attention


  Simultaneous, multiple task - difficult to attend two at once making multiple interfere
• Multitasking


  More than one task at a time
• Attentional Resource Theory


  Limited quantity/resource
• Capacity Theory


  Limited resource, one cognitive process at a time
• Automaticity


  Automatic processing (no attention required, parallel, Stroop task)
• Controlled processing


  Requires attention, conscious control
• Feature Integration theory


  Focus attention on Stimulus before synthesizing in pattern
• Consciousness


  Awareness of outside world (perception, images, feelings)