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03 Perception (Student)
03 Perception (Student)
K Hilliger
A confusing world?
Selecting
Organising = Perceiving
Interpreting
K Hilliger
Selecting
K Hilliger
Organising
• These sensations into a design, pattern or
meaningful relationship: lines, shapes,
shading, smells, sounds
K Hilliger
Interpreting
• What this design or pattern means to us:
recognise a shape, word, meaning, noise,
smell, action.
K Hilliger
The neuro-physiological approach to visual
perception
• Perception = biology not psychology
• Based on understanding the central nervous system
• Neuron (specialised brain cells) communicate with each
other to trigger brain function
K Hilliger
People Perceive Things Differently
Event
Person A Person B
Select
Organise
Interpret
Perception B Perception A
K Hilliger
People Perceive Things Differently
Empiricism =
“the idea that perception is something more than
the direct registration of senses, that somehow
other events intervene between the stimulation and
experience.” (Gordon, 1997: 157)
K Hilliger
Thinking critically about perception
K Hilliger
Misreading the feedback?
Nicola: (Walking into office with a smile, waving a report) “Well, Brian, the
Sales Report certainly looks a lot better this month.”
Brian: (Jumps up from a paper-strewn desk) “And what do you mean by
that?”
Nicola: (Folding arms) “Hang on a second, Brian, there’s no need to get all
aggressive about it!”
Brian: (Leaning back on desk) “I knew it. You’re at it again, Nicola, aren’t
you? Ever since that….”
Nicola: (Gesturing with hands) “WHAT? Look, all I said was…”
Brian: “Alright. Look, just forget it Nicola. You know, I’m just completely
sick… (Turns away from Nicola and picks up a ringing telephone) Oh,
hello Jim, how was the skiing? (Laughs loudly) Yeah, I bet you did!
… anyhow, what can I do for you, my old mate?”
Nicola: (Storms out of office, muttering) “Chauvinist pig!”
K Hilliger