Perception theory (Psychology) Flashcards
Define perception vs sensation
Perception = The process of RECOGNITION and INTERPRETATION of stimuli
Sensation = the process of DETECTING stimuli by sensory organs
Bottom Up Theory
Low level sensory features of a stimulus are first recognised then built up, with the help of memory and existing schemata, into higher order perceptions
i.e. the stimulus itself shapes our perception without any preconceived input
Strengths - Prosopagnosia, bottom up processing remains functional
Weaknesses
Brain inverts image from retina
2D images converted to 3D in brain
Ame’s Room
Human predisposition to seeing faces in abstract images
Top down theory
Perception initiates with our thoughts, expectation and previous experience re. the scenario and context which flows down to lower level sensory inputs
Strengths - Allows understanding of variability in perception
Allows perception grouping
Explains optical illusions such as Ame’s room
Explains how we fill in gaps such as blind spots
How can perception be measured?
Qualitively - asking people directly
Quantitively - “Absolute threshold of sensation” = the minimum intensity of stimuli to be detected 50% of the time
What is subliminal perception?
Whether we recognise stimuli that flashes too quick (below the threshold of awareness). Can these unconscious stimuli affect our behaviour? Unknown.
Cocktail party effect
Refers to our ability to tune into one voice amongst many others and to “change channels” to another voice
Why is perception important clinically?
Patient may perceive info differently to doctor eg risk perception
Attention - relate it to them personally or attaching meaning
Emotion - depressed pts perceive stimuli more negatively
Expectation - May ignore serious illness due to expectation of symptom
Interpret information in the schema of their own needs
Age - reduced ability to ignore irrelevant info - streamline info
Attention
Looking is not the same as seeing
Intentional blindness
Small changes not always detected
Attention biases - distributed towards concern related cues
Drug addicts are primed to notice drug related cues
Hearing your name at a party
