Perception : Psychological & Social Factors affecting perception

Psychology Unti 2

Perceptual Set

Is a readiness to accept something to be in line with what it expect it to be.

Context

The setting or environment in which a perception is made. It can also lead us to make slower or inaccurate interpretations.

Motivation

Our expectations can be influced by our motives when we see what we want to see rather then what is actually there.

Example of Motivation

AFL fans will arrive at a game with the perceptual set

established by their motivation to see their team win….(in this case,

Carlton!)

Past Experience

Our personal experiences influences our visual perception. It can also lead to many individual differences in perception.

Memory

Our memory is used to identify, interpret and understand the meaning of new visual information. It also influences our expectations, motives, beliefs and emotions and

the understanding of the context and all other psychological factors

which in turn effect visual perception.

Social factors affecting perception

Experience with or in a particular culture can influence the way we

process and interpret visual information.