TOK: Intro to Perception 11/17

Agenda New Seats! Quote Reflection Intro to Sense Perception End Goal – To what extent can we trust sense perception when gaining new knowledge?

New Seats! 2nd Period Luz/Nikah Naomi/Judah Lesley M/Jackie Vera/Luis Fernando/Lesley G Itzel/Jamie Riti/Marvin Antonio/Ha Rahima/Kenny Zinnari/Mariella Tejasvi/John Jerome/DJ Jocelyn/Cristian/Justine Front

New Seats! 3rd Jayla/Hekima Alexa/Lygia Alina/Gaby Jessica/Dereck Dylan/Alasia Ahnia/Daniel Luis/Jennifer Hira/Jezreel Yassine/Adeel Adrianna/Jeremy Ashley/Bryam Ganeeat/Myreanna Jesus/Shawana/Johanna Front

What to expect with Perception You will be presented several different theories and ideas…you need to decide which is true or not

Intro to Perception “Things do not seem the same to those who love and those who hate, nor to those who are angry and those who are calm.” Aristotle What does this quote mean? What are some examples of situations that can look differently based on the emotions that you are experiencing? Connections to current events…

Quote Two Chinese Proverb – ”Two thirds of what we see is behind our eyes.” What does this proverb mean? What are some examples? Do you agree or disagree with it?

Perception Traditional Non-Traditional? Five Senses Javanese Touch Taste See Hear Smell Non-Traditional? Javanese “..the Javanese classify their five senses as seeing, hearing, smelling, feeling, and talking.” – anthropologist Clifford Gertz Sensorium (multitude of ways we sense the world) Includes a kinesthetic sense of movement (we can find our hand with our eyes closed) Hunger/thirst Balance

Empiricism One major school of philosophy Empiricism = all knowledge is ultimately based on perceptual experience. Many people view this as too extreme Although it CLEARLY plays a role in ALL areas of knowledge, it is usually best to pair it with another WOK

Question Think about your classes and the areas of knowledge – Do you think that perception is a more important source of knowledge in some subjects rather than others? Science? History? Art? Math? English? Is there a subject where perception plays no role? How do you use it effectively in each class?

Common Sense Realism Perception is a passive and relatively straightforward process Gives us an accurate picture of reality. The act of observation does not affect what is observed Constantly debated. (This may be adequate for dealing with practical demands of life…but what about more complex issues?

Perceptual Illusions

Visual Illusions When can we trust what we see? Context Figure and Ground Visual Grouping Expectations

Visual Illusions Context Visual Grouping

Agenda Review questions/connections to visual illusions Selectivity of Perception Seeing is Believing? Distinguishing appearance from reality End Goal – To what extent can we trust the knowledge we gain from our perceptions?

Question to think about… How can these visual illusions apply to our own life? Think – outside the world of just pictures…what else do you see in life that can be affected by these illusions?

Question We suffer not only from visual illusions, but also from illusions with each of our other senses. Can you give some examples of illusions with hearing, touch, taste, and smell?

Selectivity of Perception One reason to be cautious about senses: visual illusions Another reason: perception is selective A vast amount of data is constantly flooding in our senses, and our minds would overload if we were consciously aware of everything.

Selectivity What you see depends on: Focus Subjective factors Facial expression v painting in background Subjective factors Interest and mood Feelings Emotions Optimist/Pessimist Love? Hate?

Situation How could interest/jobs affect how others see the same situation? A child dying in poverty as seen by a doctor, an economist, a social worker, the mother A sunset as seen by a religious figure, a physicist, a painter, a farmer A tree as seen by a biologist, a logger, an environmentalist, a Native American

Agenda Continue – Selective Perception Time to work on homework Seeing is believing? Eye Witness Testimony Time to work on homework MUST BE BROUGHT TO CLASS ON MONDAY No weekly reflection needed for this week End Goal- To what extent can I trust my senses when gaining new knowledge?

Question To what extent do you think that the culture you come from affects the way in which you see the world? Culture you come from: race, ethnicity, family, friends, gender, community, neighborhood…

Seeing and Believing What is the difference between seeing is believing and believing is seeing?

Believing is Seeing Beliefs can affect our perception: Science: Some scientists claimed to see Vulcan – even though it didn’t exist History: Bloody Sunday – British point of view v. Catholic point of view Art: paint what you think is there – horses with eyelashes on upper and lower lids? They are only on uppers!

Question 1 To some extent, all of us fall guilty to seeing only what we want to see. What are some examples of the way in which our beliefs affect the way we see things? Think about your own life or current events.

Eye-Witness Testimony Fallibility of perception also has real world implications According to psychologists, it is accurate to say that every time we remember something, we RECONSTRUCT it. Eye-witnesses can add missing pieces to case and solve circumstantial issues.

Question How valuable is eye-witness testimony? How valuable SHOULD it be? How do you know if you should trust an eye-witness?

Agenda Pass back and talk about Midterms (FINALLY, I know , I know) Dissect and evaluate homework Finalize work flaws in perception End Goal: To what extent can you trust your emotions when gaining new knowledge?

Mid Terms MUCH better than last time Writing Mistakes? See me for tutoring Evidence Mistakes? Strong and BEST quotes…as well as WHOLE quotes Obvious Mistakes? I tell you HOW to cite Rubric was clear – now will get more advanced Ungradeable?!?! Testing rules? Brainstorm reading? SEE ME ASAP

Question 1 -Homework Adapted from a Prescribed Essay Title: We have eyes to see with, ears to hear with – why then do we err? Answer the question as completely as you can. (Hint – if this was adapted from a Prescribed Title, one paragraph is not going to cut it – 4/5 would be more accurate)

With your groups Read through your examples Really discuss – what type of flaw in perception? Believing is Seeing? Illusion? Context, Figure and Ground, Visual Grouping, Expectations Make a decision for each one - DISCUSS

With your groups Choose ONE example that best answers the prompt Make sure everyone in the group can stand by that answer and explain it. Make link to material CLEAR

Write it out Write out and explain example The person who thought of the idea CANNOT be the writer One written explanation speaks for WHOLE group Identify the type of illusion and thoroughly explain it

Share Out Make sure you can stand by your answer – be prepared to be challenged

Agenda Pass back work from yesterday Watch a TV Show with SEVERAL examples of flaws in perception Clearly identify and connect the flaw in perceptions End Goal – Be able to IDENTIFY flaws in perception and defend your claim.

Seinfeld Clip Main Characters: George, Elaine, Jerry, Kramer Jot down ALL of the examples of flaws in perception that you see There are several

Group Work Discuss ALL of the examples of flaws in perception that you saw Decide which one BEST answers the below prompt: We have eyes to see with, ears to hear with – why then do we err?

Format Part One: Identify the TYPE of flaw in perception Part Two: Describe the example Part Three: Explain how the example is a flaw in perception. How does it connect to the TYPE of flaw?

Agenda Silent Debate Explain process Engage in debate Reflect on the process End Goal – Be able to challenge claims in a professional manner while being exposed to other opinions.

Silent Debate Everyone has a chance to challenge claims, but not a chance to defend them Your power needs to come in your original answer – it needs to be strong Papers will be exchanged and rotated and passed around

Silent Debate If all humans had to suddenly lose one of the traditional five senses, which should be the one to go? To what extent does your education affect your ability to perceive something correctly. “Seeing is believing.” To what extent must you see something for yourself to believe it is true? Which of your senses is most likely to error? Hearing? Tasting? Seeing? Smelling? Touching? How do you know when you can trust someone else’s perception of an event or situation?

Reflection Pass back to original owner Questions to consider in reflection: Who had the STRONGEST answer and claims. Why? Who had the WEAKEST answer and claims. Why? Did anything make you change your original opinion? Why or why not? What was the most interesting thing written? Why? Was there anything you STRONGLY agree with or STRONGLY disagree with? Explain.