1. Influences on Perception
Module 17

2. Perceptual Set Context Effects Emotion & Motivation
Perceptual set – a mental predisposition to perceive one thing and not another
Determined by the schemas that form from our experiences
Done through top-down processing
(Past experiences)
Context Effects
The brain works backwards in time to allow a later stimulus determine how we perceive an earlier one.
The context creates an expectation that influences our perception
Emotion & Motivation
Emotions and motivations influences our perceptions
Walking distances look further when fatigued
Hill looks steeper after hearing sad song rather than an upbeat son
Culture
Arranged marriages

4. Telepathy – mind to mind communication
Extrasensory perception – the controversial claim that perception can occur apart from sensory input
Telepathy – mind to mind communication
Clairvoyance – perceiving remote events
Precognition – perceiving future events
Psychokinesis – mind over matter
Parapsychology – the study of paranormal phenomena
To believe, one must believe the brain is capable of perceiving without sensory input
Psychologists/parapsychologists have been unable to replicate ESP phenomena under controlled conditions – these rare events happen by chance