Assignment: Cognitive Psychologist

According to Sternberg and Sternberg (2012), the complex process of perception gives us the ability to recognize, organize, and make sense of the sensations provided by environmental stimuli. In other words, perceptions rely on the cognitive process in order to process and understand shape, color, and objects which is driven by stimuli. Visual Perception is broken up into two categories the bottom-up approach and the top-down approach. Both approaches have their own theories and understanding of perception. Sternberg and Sternberg (2012) described the top-down process as constructive perception. In other words, constructive perception is the understanding of a particular stimulus in relationship to perception by using cognitive assessments of the stimuli. The bottom-up approach is when data or information is absorbed by the eyes which creates perception driven by data sensory (Sternberg, Sternberg, 2012). In other words, it is the way our eyes understand sensory data in correlation to a picture. Furthermore Sternberg and Sternberg (2012) discussed the feature analysis system and the configuration system. The feature analysis system allows recognition of objects, well the configuration system allows facial recognition. These two topics can be explored by taking the visual recognition, blind-spot, light from above, and facial recognition test.  The visual recognition test measures the perception reaction time and the number of correct answers. The visual recognition measured the perception by finding the blue triangle versus blue squares and red triangles. During this test I was able to answer all the questions correctly, but I did notice my reaction time was slower when I had more shapes and colors in comparison to less shapes and colors. This test helped me realize that I am able to block out distraction, even though there may be multiple objects in the way. The second test I did was the blind-spot test and the results were inaccurate or I was conducting the test wrong. I was not able to locate my blind-spot by the end of the test. I did notice that my peripheral kept searching for the white spot no matter what direction the white spot went. The third test was light from above where you tried to figure out if the dots were facing left or right depending on how the light from above or below hit. This test was not easy and I found out I was able to identify all the directional positions when the light came from above, but once the light came from below, I was not able to locate the directional position of the light. This had to be the most difficult of all four tests. I did learn this test does have a correlation with my driving because when I turn the light on at night it is hard for me to make out the objects as well as directional positions of the lanes and lines. Lastly the face recognition test used celebrity faces and asked you to identify them. Sternberg and Sternberg (2012) discussed configurational system as facial recognition. This test showed me how much I do not watch television because I was able to get five out of 30 correct. Due to my lack of social media and current celebrities this minimized my facial recognition of people who at this time are important in the world. Also, since I learned that light effect my perception I think it’s a good idea if I go to the doctor and see if I need glasses to drive at night.

Reference

Sternberg, R. J., & Sternberg, K. (2012). Cognitive psychology (6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.