Perception Sensation and Perception Psychology, Unit 2

Objectives Apply perceptual organization to your surroundings Apply perceptual organization to your surroundings Define perceptual constancies Define perceptual constancies Understand how we perceive movement Understand how we perceive movement Explain how culture plays a role in perceptual differences Explain how culture plays a role in perceptual differences

Gestalt Psychologists The earliest psychologists to study perception (German) The earliest psychologists to study perception (German) Believe the brain creates an experience that is more than just the sum of our sensations Believe the brain creates an experience that is more than just the sum of our sensations

Olny srmat poelpe can raed tihs. I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

Figure and Ground F: images perceived to stand apart from the background F: images perceived to stand apart from the background G: background against which a figure appears G: background against which a figure appears

Find the figure and ground…

4 Gestalt Principles in Perceptual Organization 1. Proximity: objects that are close are seen together as opposed to separately 2. Similarity: similar shapes/objects are grouped together 3. Closure: we fill in gaps to complete incomplete objects 4. Continuity: we group separate items together as part of a pattern

Perceptual Constancy We see things as constant, even when sensation changes We see things as constant, even when sensation changes EX: The white house you see is always the same; at night; in daylight; in storms; from any angle EX: The white house you see is always the same; at night; in daylight; in storms; from any angle –We possess size, shape and color constancy to help us understand our surroundings

Perceiving Distance and Depth We see in 2D, but perceive in 3D We see in 2D, but perceive in 3D We determine distance and depth w/ cues We determine distance and depth w/ cues –Some cues are monocular (from one eye), others are binocular (from both eyes)

Monocular Cues- 1 eye 1. Aerial perspective: the more distance, the hazier an object appears 2. Texture gradient: texture is rounded or smoothed at greater distances 3. Linear perspective: 2 parallel lines appear to meet at the horizon 4. Motion parallax: objects close to you seem to move opposite your head; objects far away seem to move the same direction as your head

Aerial Perspective Linear Perspective Texture Gradient

Binocular Cues- 2 eyes 1. Stereoscopic Vision: combining 2 retinal images makes seeing distance and depth more accurately 2. Retinal Disparity: eyes are 2 ½” apart so left sees more on left side, right more on right 3. Convergence: depth cue from muscles of the eye. Close objects cause the muscles to turn the eyes toward each other, and vise versa

Distance of Sound Works just like eyes Works just like eyes Cues are either monaural or binaural Cues are either monaural or binaural Distance is judged by loudness, echo, clarity, etc… Distance is judged by loudness, echo, clarity, etc…

Perceiving Movement 2 types of movement 2 types of movement 1.Real: something truly physically moves 2.Apparent: an illusion, we perceive movement in a stationary object

3 Types of Apparent Movement 1. Autokinetic: a still object appears to move if you have no visual background to compare it to 2. Stroboscopic: still images appear to move when shown in rapid succession (films) 3. The phi phenomenon: flashing lights from different distances in the dark makes it appear like there is one constant moving light

Role of Culture and Individual Differences Perception is a combo of our senses, past experience, and wiring of our brains Perception is a combo of our senses, past experience, and wiring of our brains Our motivations, values, expectations, cognitive style, experience and culture, and personality shape our perception Our motivations, values, expectations, cognitive style, experience and culture, and personality shape our perception –Expectations: you see what you expect to see; ex: typos

FINISHED FILES ARE THE RE SULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTI FIC STUDY COMBINED WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF YEARS...

Exit Ticket 1. Name and illustrate the 4 gestalt principles of perceptual organization 2. Name and describe the monocular cues 3. Name and describe the binocular cues 4. Explain how it is possible that our individual differences and culture can alter our perception.