Psychological factors affecting Visual Perception

Psychological factors affecting Visual Perception

Perceptual Set or ‘Expectancy’

•          We interpret stimuli by comparing it to what we already know and have experienced = prior experience.

•          We tend to see what we EXPECT to see – this includes ignoring some stimuli and giving attention to others.

•          Factors like emotions, motivation, context or setting, cultural background and past experience all affect our perceptual set.

Physiological factors affecting Visual Perception

Alcohol… Slows us down, changes coordination, reduces attention, concentration and ability to make judgements.

Old Age…cataracts, long-sightedness, age-related macular degeneration, retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma.  Our eyes age as we do and become more susceptible to disease and damage.