1. Warm Up: What was a mistake that you made once, and only once.
How did you realize you messed up?

2. Processing, Illusions, and a little bit of MAGIC!

3. Bottom Up Processing
When we respond to a stimulus in the world without prior knowledge or background
Think of a bonfire.
The first time you sit too close

4. Top Down Processing
When we approach situations with prior knowledge or ideas, and stimulus is weak, we rely more on inner thoughts than outer perceptions
Back to the bonfire
Let’s not sit as close this time!

5. Selective Attention
Perceptions about objects change from moment to moment. We can perceive different forms of the Necker cube; however, we can only pay attention to one aspect of the object at a time.
OBJECTIVE 1| Describe the interplay between attention and perception.
Necker Cube

6. Inattentional Blindness
Inattentional blindness refers to the inability to see something in front of us. Usually because we are focused on something else
Let’s watch this video:
And then this one!

7. Change Blindness
Change blindness is a form of inattentional blindness, the classic example of this is the ol’ giving directions switcheroo. A more in-depth discussion of which is here!

8. Perceptual Illusions
Illusions provide good examples in understanding how perception is organized. Studying faulty perception is as important as studying other perceptual phenomena.
OBJECTIVE 2| Explain how illusions help us understand some of the ways we organize stimuli into meaningful perceptions.

9. Muller-Lyer illusion

11. Perceptual Constancy
Perceiving objects as unchanging even as illumination and retinal images change. Perceptual constancies include constancies of shape and size.
OBJECTIVE 9| Explain the importance of perceptual constancy.
Shape Constancy

12. Size-Distance Relationship

13. Size-Distance Relationship
The distant monster appears bigger because of distance cues.

14. Ponzo illusion

15. Size-Distance Relationship

16. WHAT?
Here’s how it works:

17. The Ames room is designed to demonstrate the size-distance illusion.

18. Perception & Human Factors
Human Factor Psychologists design machines that assist our natural perceptions.
OBJECTIVE 16| Describe the role human factors psychologists play in creating user-friendly machines and work settings.
Photodisc/ Punchstock
Courtesy of General Electric
The knobs for the stove burners on the right are easier to understand than those on the left.

19. Perceptual Clues and Hidden Messages in Advertising
Big title, simple concept:
A lot of advertisers/companies/etc. will use visual clues and optical illusions to serve as an “Easter Egg” in their ads.