General Phycology

Answer: The figure contains lines. This would be the answer if we see it most simply. Lines in different directions and of the same color. But maybe you saw something more complex.

Did you see:

·

· Two lines and a diamond shape

· A letter W on top and an M on the bottom

· Two letter K'

· What else?

*These are all correct. Figure 1 is a good example of Gestalt's principles of organization.

You may have never heard or read about Gestalt psychology. The fact is this is not a prominent area of contemporary psychology, but it is considered a classic theory that supported later studies. The idea that objects considered together form a whole, which is different from the simple combination of objects, is one of the key takeaways from Gestalt psychology. Gestalt psychologists argue that the perception of stimuli in our environment goes beyond the individual elements we perceive. This represents an active constructive process taking place within the brain.

Many processes influence perceptions. Let's try another example. 

What is the difference between these symbols? How is it that you know the difference despite the similarities?

Ββ8

Perception proceeds along two different paths, descending and ascending.

The ascending allows processing fundamental characteristics of the stimuli, and the descending gives the possibility of contributing our experience to influence our perception.

This gives us a clearer idea of ​​how the brain interprets information from the senses to make appropriate responses to the environment.

We can understand depth and depth perception thanks to our two eyes because each retina receives a different image. The brain integrates both images to see, recognizes the difference in the images, and uses it to estimate the distance an object is from us. Depth perception is the ability to see the world in three dimensions which helps to perceive distance.

*Exercise: Pick up your pen and hold your hand; look at it with one eye first and then the other. Do you see a difference? No. Now repeat the same exercise but with your hand closer.

Other key definitions:

Binocular Disparity: The difference between the image received by the left and right eye.

Monocular cues: Cues that allow one to get a sense of depth and distance with one eye.

Perceptual Constancy is a phenomenon in which physical objects are perceived as invariant and consistent despite changes in their appearance or the physical environment. We consider objects to have immutable size, shape, color, and brightness. But how we apply can deceive us.

An example of perceptual constancy is how we see the moon. Near the horizon, it looks huge, but the actual image of the moon on the retina is always the same. When the moon is close to the horizon, perceptual cues from terrain and objects get in the way, producing a misleading sense of distance that leads us to perceive the moon as relatively large mistakenly. When it is high up, we see it alone and do not try to compensate for its distance from us, so perceptual constancy makes us perceive it as a relatively more minor object. This is not the only explanation, but it is one of the most popular since other perceptual processes participate in this phenomenon.

Perception of movement: The stimulus to the retina leads us to interpret the movement. This apparent motion is the perception that a stationary object is in motion. For example: when we are on the train or subway that is not yet running, it seems to be moving because the train on the other track has started to move.

Subliminal perception: Refers to the perception of messages about which we are not aware. A stimulus can be a word, smell, or sound that activates the sensory system but is not intense enough. Like the word thirsty in a soda advertisement leads to drinking a soda. There is little evidence that these subliminal messages can control our behavior, but they can influence it.

Crucial to perception is how we integrate information about our head and eye movements with information about changes in the retinal image.

Experiences also influence perception.

So, is there a relationship between culture and perception?

Yes, there is a basic connection between our prior knowledge, needs, motivations, and expectations about how the world fits together and how we perceive it.

Our view of the world is largely a product of fundamental psychological factors. Each person perceives the environment in a unique and special way.

Example:

Imagine we were able to travel to the US and Perú to investigate culture and perceptions. First, we show a video of the latest North American movie about clandestine car racing to a group of young people in California (USA). Then, we show the same video to a group of young people who live on the Uros Islands in Perú. (Search for Uros island to understand more about their culture before you answer the following questions).

Do you think there would be big differences in perception about the film? What factors would influence their perceptions? 

References:

American Psychological Association [APA]. (2020). Gestalt principles of organization. APA dictionary of psychology.  https://dictionary.apa.org/gestalt-principles-of-organizationLinks to an external site.

Feldman, R. S., Villagómez, A., Villaseñor, M., García, J. M. L., Ortiz, M. E., Nuñez, J. L., Palos, E., & Olivares, S. O. (2017).  Psicología con aplicaciones de América Latina. McGraw-Hill Education.

Answer: The figure contains lines. This would be the answer if we see it most simply. Lines in different directions and of the same color. But maybe you saw something more complex.

Did you see:

·

· Two lines and a diamond shape

· A letter W on top and an M on the bottom

· Two letter K'

· What else?

*These are all correct. Figure 1 is a good example of Gestalt's principles of organization.

You may have never heard or read about Gestalt psychology. The fact is this is not a prominent area of contemporary psychology, but it is considered a classic theory that supported later studies. The idea that objects considered together form a whole, which is different from the simple combination of objects, is one of the key takeaways from Gestalt psychology. Gestalt psychologists argue that the perception of stimuli in our environment goes beyond the individual elements we perceive. This represents an active constructive process taking place within the brain.

Many processes influence perceptions. Let's try another example. 

What is the difference between these symbols? How is it that you know the difference despite the similarities?

Ββ8

Perception proceeds along two different paths, descending and ascending.

The ascending allows processing fundamental characteristics of the stimuli, and the descending gives the possibility of contributing our experience to influence our perception.

This gives us a clearer idea of ​​how the brain interprets information from the senses to make appropriate responses to the environment.

We can understand depth and depth perception thanks to our two eyes because each retina receives a different image. The brain integrates both images to see, recognizes the difference in the images, and uses it to estimate the distance an object is from us. Depth perception is the ability to see the world in three dimensions which helps to perceive distance.

*Exercise: Pick up your pen and hold your hand; look at it with one eye first and then the other. Do you see a difference? No. Now repeat the same exercise but with your hand closer.

Other key definitions:

Binocular Disparity: The difference between the image received by the left and right eye.

Monocular cues: Cues that allow one to get a sense of depth and distance with one eye.

Perceptual Constancy is a phenomenon in which physical objects are perceived as invariant and consistent despite changes in their appearance or the physical environment. We consider objects to have immutable size, shape, color, and brightness. But how we apply can deceive us.

An example of perceptual constancy is how we see the moon. Near the horizon, it looks huge, but the actual image of the moon on the retina is always the same. When the moon is close to the horizon, perceptual cues from terrain and objects get in the way, producing a misleading sense of distance that leads us to perceive the moon as relatively large mistakenly. When it is high up, we see it alone and do not try to compensate for its distance from us, so perceptual constancy makes us perceive it as a relatively more minor object. This is not the only explanation, but it is one of the most popular since other perceptual processes participate in this phenomenon.

Perception of movement: The stimulus to the retina leads us to interpret the movement. This apparent motion is the perception that a stationary object is in motion. For example: when we are on the train or subway that is not yet running, it seems to be moving because the train on the other track has started to move.

Subliminal perception: Refers to the perception of messages about which we are not aware. A stimulus can be a word, smell, or sound that activates the sensory system but is not intense enough. Like the word thirsty in a soda advertisement leads to drinking a soda. There is little evidence that these subliminal messages can control our behavior, but they can influence it.

Crucial to perception is how we integrate information about our head and eye movements with information about changes in the retinal image.

Experiences also influence perception.

So, is there a relationship between culture and perception?

Yes, there is a basic connection between our prior knowledge, needs, motivations, and expectations about how the world fits together and how we perceive it.

Our view of the world is largely a product of fundamental psychological factors. Each person perceives the environment in a unique and special way.

Example:

Imagine we were able to travel to the US and Perú to investigate culture and perceptions. First, we show a video of the latest North American movie about clandestine car racing to a group of young people in California (USA). Then, we show the same video to a group of young people who live on the Uros Islands in Perú. (Search for Uros island to understand more about their culture before you answer the following questions).

Do you think there would be big differences in perception about the film? What factors would influence their perceptions? 

References:

American Psychological Association [APA]. (2020). Gestalt principles of organization. APA dictionary of psychology.  https://dictionary.apa.org/gestalt-principles-of-organizationLinks to an external site.

Feldman, R. S., Villagómez, A., Villaseñor, M., García, J. M. L., Ortiz, M. E., Nuñez, J. L., Palos, E., & Olivares, S. O. (2017).  Psicología con aplicaciones de América Latina. McGraw-Hill Education.