Perspective An Overview SLEIGHTS OF MIND SAIL PRESENTATION FEBRUARY 25, 2013 STERN AND LUSK

William James: CONSCIOUSNESS According to James, consciousness is the starting place of all psychology; the most crucial aspect of human mentality. But, it was a phenomenon too familiar to be given a definition. James believed that everyone took themselves to be possessors of conscious states that were accessible by introspection—the most fundamental of all the postulates of psychology. “I would discard all curious inquiries about its certainty as too metaphysical…” Principles of Psychology, 1890

Sigmund Freud “What is meant by consciousness we need not discuss; it is beyond all doubt.”

Perspectives will both facilitate & constrain perception

William James: ATTENTION “Everyone knows what attention is. It is the taking possession by the mind, in clear and vivid form, of one out of what seem several simultaneously possible objects or trains of thought. Focalization, concentration, of consciousness are of its essence. It implies withdrawal from some things in order to deal effectively with others.” Principles of Psychology, 1890

The Burke Theorem Kenneth Burke Literary Philosopher “A way of seeing is also a way of not seeing - a focus upon object A involves a neglect of object B.”

Visual Illusions

Believing is Seeing

Jesus Fishstick

Jesus Potato Chip

Madonna Toast

Nun in a Bun

Faces... Everywhere

Face on Mars

Happy Face on Mars

Believing is Seeing

Allport & Postman

Believing is Seeing Priming

Cowboy crossing the creek

Priming Michael Shermer Priming

Seeing is Deceiving

Linear Perspective

Visual Illusions

Shapiro Lab Illusions

Seeing is Deceiving Cartography - Blue & Red

Seeing is Deceiving The Peters map