Perception

With reference to relevant research studies, to what extent is one cognitive process reliable?
 * Learning outcome **

=Perception= "//the cognitive process that interprets and organizes information from the senses to produce ...meaningful experience of the world//" (Crane & Hadad, page 68) Factors that affect our perception:
 * What is perception?**
 * context
 * frequency
 * recency

= To what extent is perception reliable? = This may also be discussed in TOK

=Errors of perception=

Point 1 - Self-serving justification
[|Looks can deceive: why perception and reality don't always match up]
 * READ**

I: Initial exploration

 * WATCH Video 1**
 * Beau Lotto on Tedtalks**
 * [|Optical illusions show how we see]**

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Use the transcript of the Tedtalk to help you identify specific behaviors in the context of illusions How does Lotto explain these?
 * REVIEW**

II: Further exploration
We are constantly trying to make sense of what we see.
 * READ**
 * 1) [|'How reliable is the knowledge provided by our senses]'?
 * 2) [|Gestalt theories of perceptual organization]


 * Define and give an example of:**
 * Helmholtz's theory (eg. scintillating grid illusion)
 * Gestalt theory (eg. principles of grouping)


 * REVIEW**
 * 1) Make sure you can use the above information to explain why we see what isn't there - why perception and reality don't always match.
 * 2) Consider - what role do schemata play in the existence of illusions?

Finish up by looking at more illusions with Al Seckel Which ones do you recognize?
 * WATCH Video 2**


 * Al Seckel**
 * [|Our brains are mis-wired]**

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Point 3 - The influence of culture on visual perception
Barthelme, S. [|Culture and perception: the Muller-Lyer illusion] You will need to understand:
 * READ**
 * the meaning of 'heuristic'
 * the carpentered-world hypothesis

Barthelme's post refers to the Segal et al study (1968). [|Click here to read the actual study], if you want more detailed information.

[|Cultural effects on visual perception] This is useful for quick reference to support Segal's findings
 * READ**

Click on the site below [] (this site also contains explanations of each illusion)
 * Would you like to play with more visual illusions? **