PSYC 2240 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Spatial Frequency, Cerebral Cortex, Depth Perception

• School: York University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 2240
• Professor: Larissa Vingilis- Jaremko

Document Summary

We see an object when it emits/reflects light that stimulates receptors that transmit info to our brain. Law of specific nerve energies: whatever excites a particular nerve always sends the same kind of information to the brain. Retina: rear surface of eye, lined with visual receptors. Bipolar cells: type of neuron in the retina that receives input directly from the receptors, send message to ganglion cells. Additional amacrine cells get info from bipolar cells + send it to other bipolar, amacrine + ganglion cells. Fovea: a tiny area specialized for acute, detailed vision. Midget ganglion cells: ganglion cells in the fovea of humans + other primates. Brain cannot detect exact location/shape of peripheral light source because more receptors converge onto bipolar + ganglion cells toward the periphery of retina. Fovea better at acuity, peripheral better sensitivity to dim light. Rods: abundant in periphery of retina, respond to faint light + not useful in daylight b/c bright light bleaches them.