Perception and Sensory Adaptation

Perceptual Set

• A predisposition or readiness to perceive something in a particular way.
• Acts as a "psychological filter" influenced by top-down processing.
• Young children are less affected by perceptual sets due to fewer pre-existing expectations.

Expectations and Perception

• Expectations significantly influence what we perceive, causing us to overlook unexpected stimuli (e.g., red aces of spades).
• Can lead to errors in perception or failure to notice important aspects, especially in "person perception."

Person Perception

• A special case where perceptual sets and top-down expectations apply to understanding other people.
• Errors can occur when individuals do not fit our expectations.

Sensory Adaptation

• A change in the responsiveness of the sensory system.
• Based on the average level of surrounding stimulation.
• Example: Eyes adjusting to a dark room.