PATTERN RECOGNITION - A

PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

ABSTACT

With the digitisation of radiology departments, the need to view images from a
digital perspective has increased. The fact that different people perceive
brightness/ contrast differently has forced me to read up on the subjective
topic called perception.

This document will serve to explain the theories stemming from different
areas of perception in the human brain.

Perception is a sensory process which shapes ones awareness of one’s reality.

It aids one when interpreting something external.

It is seldom realistic and essentially a subjective process.

 Basic concepts in Psychophysics

Just noticeable Signal-detection

Thresholds
difference theory
this is the weakest it is the minimum proposes that ones
detectable quantity by which detection of
stimulus for any stimulus intensity stimuli involves not
given sense, they must be modified only raw sensory
differ from person in order to acquire process, but also
to person and a distinguishable higher mental
among senses and variation decision making
even for the same processes
person under
different situations
Simplicity Closure Continuity Similarity
indicates that people indicates that if enough indicates that if enough that objects similar to
tend to organsie of the shape or of the shape or each other are
elements in the information is information is perceived as belonging
simplest way possible. indicated , people are indicated , people are together as a unit.
most likely to perceive most likely to perceive
the whole by filling the the whole by filling the
contour and ignoring contour and ignoring
gaps in the figure. gaps in the figure.
Laws of Perception
CONTINUITY

CLOSURE
SIMILARITY

SIMPLICITY
Gestalt psychologists believed that there are two main visual components
necessary to see an object properly: a figure (the object) and the ground
(background).

Pattern recognition in shape perception

Some perceptual psychologists believe that the ability to perceive objects

represents a form of problem solving based on two categories of simultaneous
mental processes

Bottom up processes :
are those that register and integrate sensory information.
These processes depend on the information from the
senses at the most Basic level of perception.

Top down process:

existing knowledge and impressions are used to interpret
information. Emphasizes the importance of the observers
concepts, expectations and prior knowledge.
 Summary of influential factors

Factors influencing the

perciever:
Attitudes
Motivation
Interests
Experience Factors in the percieved
Expectations object:
Factors in the
Motion
environment:
Novelty
Time
Sounds
Work setting
Proximity
Social setting Background
Size

Perception