In the context of visual stimuli, what is retinal disparity as defined in AP Psychology?

• A. The slight difference in images between the two eyes that provides a cue for depth perception
• B. The tendency to perceive objects as unchanging despite changes in sensory input
• C. The process by which the lens changes shape to focus images on the retina
• D. The ability to detect movement based on changes in light intensity

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that retinal disparity is a concept related to binocular vision, which involves both eyes working together to perceive depth.
2. Recognize that each eye views an object from a slightly different angle, creating two slightly different images on the retinas.
3. Define retinal disparity as the slight difference between these two images received by the left and right eyes.
4. Explain that the brain uses this difference to calculate how far away objects are, which helps in perceiving depth and three-dimensional structure.
5. Distinguish retinal disparity from other visual processes such as perceptual constancy, accommodation, and motion detection, which are unrelated to this specific depth cue.