Perception and Sensory Processing in Psychology

Key Concepts

• Perception vs. Reality

  • Our perception is influenced by expectations, experiences, moods, and cultural norms.
  • Perception allows us to interpret sensory data meaningfully.
  • The brain constructs perceptions, not the sensory organs.

• Role of the Brain in Perception

  • The brain processes raw data from senses and forms meaningful perceptions.
  • Example: Recognizing faces and interpreting scents rely on perception.

Perceptual Sets

• Perceptual Set Theory
  • Expectations and context influence what we perceive.
  • Perception can be influenced by psychological factors such as context, emotions, and motivations.
  • Example: Seeing a duck or a bunny based on given cues.

Form Perception

• Figure-Ground Relationship

  • Distinguishes main objects (figures) from the surroundings (ground).
  • Example: "Faces or Vases" illusion.

• Grouping Rules

  • Proximity: Group nearby figures together.
  • Continuity: Prefer smooth, continuous patterns.
  • Closure: Fill in gaps to create whole objects.

Depth Perception

• Binocular and Monocular Cues
  • Binocular Cues: Use both eyes to judge distance (retinal disparity).
  • Monocular Cues: Include relative size, linear perspective, texture gradient, and interposition.

Motion Perception and Constancy

• Motion Perception

  • The brain gauges motion using cues like size changes.

• Perceptual Constancy

  • Ability to recognize objects regardless of changes in conditions like distance, viewing angle, and lighting.

Conclusion

• Perception forms our understanding of the world.
• Sensory organs collect data, and the brain constructs perceptions.

Credits

• Written by Kathleen Yale
• Edited by Blake de Pastino and others
• Consulted by Dr. Ranjit Bhagwat
• Produced by Crash Course