PSYA01H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Critical Role, Depth Perception, Gestalt Psychology
PSYA01 – Lecture 12: Vision - Perception
Top-Down Perception when stimulus = presented short + clarity is uncertain that gives a
vague stimulus, perception becomes this top=down approach
- Psychology defines bottom-up processing as an approach wherein there is a progression
from the individual elements to the whole
The Critical Role of Context
- Figure/ground issue – sometimes visual scenes are somewhat ambiguous and can be
seen in diff.ways. If told a story about what YOU want participants to see, they will see
it.
o E.g. young woman or the old hag picture
GESTAULT - Perception
- Gestalt, Weber…etc research was backtracked b/c of Freud which resulted in “Gestalt
Psychologists “
- German Psychologists “Gestalt Psychologists” – primary purpose of visual system =
recognition of objects from basic visual elements (whole is more than the sum of its
parts)
o Objects seen as more than a sum of parts, critical problem facing the visual
system = how to group elements to form objects
o Several principles/laws are used by visual system for grouping. They are also
applicable to REAL WORLD issues e.g. prejudice (cause people to group together)
o GESTAULT LAWS used for grouping:
A: Proximity
B: Similar Colour
C: Similar Size
D: Common fate
Nature shows camouflage + lack of mvmt but when it moves, it
becomes noticeable/can be seen.
Elements have the ‘common fate’ due to mvmt
Document Summary
Top-down perception when stimulus = presented short + clarity is uncertain that gives a vague stimulus, perception becomes this top=down approach. Psychology defines bottom-up processing as an approach wherein there is a progression from the individual elements to the whole. Figure/ground issue sometimes visual scenes are somewhat ambiguous and can be seen in diff. ways. If told a story about what you want participants to see, they will see it: e. g. young woman or the old hag picture. Gestalt, weber etc research was backtracked b/c of freud which resulted in (cid:862)gestalt. They are also applicable to real world issues e. g. prejudice (cause people to group together: gestault laws used for grouping: Nature shows camouflage + lack of mvmt but when it moves, it becomes noticeable/can be seen. Elements have the (cid:858)common fate(cid:859) due to mvmt. Mind likes to connect things based on (cid:858)sensible(cid:859) + familiar objects.
