Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Brightness refers to the subjective experience of the intensity or luminance of a visual stimulus, how light or dark it appears. It is influenced by both physical properties of the stimulus and individual perceptual processes.
Related terms
Contrast: Contrast refers to the difference in luminance or color between different parts of a visual stimulus. It helps enhance our perception of brightness by creating distinct boundaries between objects with varying levels of luminance.
Adaptation is our ability to adjust to changes in sensory input over time. In terms of brightness perception, prolonged exposure to bright light can lead to adaptation where our eyes become less sensitive to that level of brightness.
Perceptual set refers to our readiness or predisposition to perceive stimuli in a particular way based on expectations, experiences, and context. Our previous experiences with different lighting conditions can influence how we perceive brightness in a given situation.