Perception 1: Sensation and perception
22 October 2022 18:29
Learning objectives
What is perception?
- The process of acquiring knowledge about environmental objects or events via the senses
- The perceptual process is often broken down into two stages:
1. Sensation - process of transforming physical stimuli to electrical signals
2. Perception - process of interpreting these signals for conscious awareness and for action
Distal stimuli - e.g. Light, sound ect.
Proximal stimuli - signals as it enters our sensors
Evolutionary untility - what is perceptio for
- Aristotle - animals must have perception in order to live
- Evolved to help us to survive
○ Finding food and avoiding danger
- All of our senses help us seek out desireable situations and avoid dangerous ones
5 senses
Perception Page 1
, - We actually have more than 5 - e.g. Temperature perception, spatial, equilibrioception,
proprioception, kinaesthesia, nociception...
- Animals that can perceive more than us
○
▪ Useful for snakes because theyre nocturnal
Is perception veridical?
• Senses would not evolve if it wasn't reasonable accurate
• However, this is not to say that its a clear window into reality
• What is real to you is a result of the end result of your perceptual process
Perception Page 2
22 October 2022 18:29
Learning objectives
What is perception?
- The process of acquiring knowledge about environmental objects or events via the senses
- The perceptual process is often broken down into two stages:
1. Sensation - process of transforming physical stimuli to electrical signals
2. Perception - process of interpreting these signals for conscious awareness and for action
Distal stimuli - e.g. Light, sound ect.
Proximal stimuli - signals as it enters our sensors
Evolutionary untility - what is perceptio for
- Aristotle - animals must have perception in order to live
- Evolved to help us to survive
○ Finding food and avoiding danger
- All of our senses help us seek out desireable situations and avoid dangerous ones
5 senses
Perception Page 1
, - We actually have more than 5 - e.g. Temperature perception, spatial, equilibrioception,
proprioception, kinaesthesia, nociception...
- Animals that can perceive more than us
○
▪ Useful for snakes because theyre nocturnal
Is perception veridical?
• Senses would not evolve if it wasn't reasonable accurate
• However, this is not to say that its a clear window into reality
• What is real to you is a result of the end result of your perceptual process
Perception Page 2
