8.5 Perceptual set Flashcards
Vernon suggested that perceptual set acts in 2 ways, what were they?
- as a SELECTOR, we focus out attention on what we expect to perceive
- as an INTERPRETER, we already know how we are going to interpret the incoming information, and are so bias towards interpreting it in this way.
What is perceptual set?
An unconscious bias towards noticing some aspects of incoming data but not others.
What do studies show abut something when we are deprived of it?
We are more likely to perceive it as out desire and motivation for it increases.
Gilchrist and Nesburg (1952) used food to show perceptual set. Explain this.
2 groups. One deprived of food, the other not. All participants were shown photos of food and then asked to rate them of their brightness. Those who were deprived of food rated the photos as brighter than the control group (who we not deprived).
A number of studies show that we perceive what we expect to see. Explain the Bruner and Minturn (1955) experiment to do with numbers and letters.
Showed ambiguous figure ‘B’ that could be interpreted as ‘13’. When shown in the context of number, they were more likely to see it is a 13. And vice versa.
What does the Bruner and Minturn (1955) study show? (The B and 13 study)
Shows how the interaction of context and expectation affects out perception
What also effects the way we perceive thing?
Our emotions.
Are we more or less likely to recognise something because of perceptual sensitisation? And what is lowered?
We are more likely to recognise something because of perceptual sensitisation. This is when our RECOGNITION THRESHOLD for a stimulus is lowered.
What is it known as when our perceptual system defends us from upset or offence?
Perceptual defence. It means we are less likely to perceive something.
Explain the McGinnies (1949) tidy for perceptual set and emotion.
He investigated perceptual defence. Presenting participants with emotionally neural words (apple, glass) and taboo words (rape). He then asked them to name to words as soon as it was recognised. Taboo words led to perceptual defence.
We are interested in finding out whether there are cultural differences in perception. Explain what is meant by this.
Whether the environment and culture in which a person lives in affects the way that he or she perceives the world.
What is the study uses to explain perceptual set and culture.and what does it seem to show?
The muller-layer illusion. 2 likes of equal length appear different due to the arrows on the end pointing in or out. It appears that non Europeans do not interpreted one line as being bigger than another.
Which 2 studies have ethical concerns, and what were these concerns?
McGinnies (taboo) the ethical concern was that it could cause upet and embarrassment and was unethically sound.
Gilchrist and Nesberg (food) depriving participants of food can be criticised.
Which study can lack ecological validity and why?
The Gilchrist and Nesburg study (food). As it contained photos of food and not the real items.
Findings from cross cultural studies can be culturally bias, by assuming what?
Perspective drawing (favoured by Europeans) assume that this means we are more artistically and culturally superior.
