Well, visual sensation and visual perception are said to be distinctly different processes. Visual sensation is purely physiological, and is the same for every individual. However, visual perception is both physiological and psychological - as it can be strongly influenced by an individual's past experience.
Visual Sensation
As stated above, visual sensation is a physiological process. It involves:
a) The detection and reception of incoming visual stimuli (in the form of direct or reflected light)
b) The transduction (conversion) of electromagnetic energy (light) into electrochemical energy (neural impulses)
c) The transmission (sending) of neural information to the occipital lobe of the brain for further processing.
(In other words, the first three stages of visual perception - reception, transduction and transmission, comprise visual sensation.)
After that, the visual sensation process is said to be complete.
Visual Perception
Is both physiological and psychological. It involves:
a) The selection/isolation of features of a visual stimulus, such as colour, movement, orientation and shape
b) The organisation/assembling of the features of a visual stimulus into patterns and groups in order to perceive a coherent perceptual experience.
c) The interpretation of visual information - in other words, assigning meaning to what you see.
As I said above, an individual’s visual perception can be altered by past experiences and/or expectations. Thus, visual perception varies from person to person.
To put it simply: the first three stages of VP are considered 'visual sensation' and the next three are considered 'visual perception'
Although it's called 'the stages of VISUAL PERCEPTION' (which may cause confusion), the title basically just means 'the stages which occur that lead to the coherent perception of visual stimuli'. It's good to know the distinct classifications of the two in terms of the stages of VP.
Home
Help
Search
Login
