HRPYC81
RESEARCH PROJECT 1:
REPORT GUIDE 2024
(Assessment 4)
, Property of Perfectionist Notes
Illegal distribution/selling/use will be prosecuted
Contents
1. Instructions ..................................................................................................................................... 2
2. The broad topic ............................................................................................................................... 6
3. The Rubric ....................................................................................................................................... 8
4. STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT ........................................................................................................... 9
5. APA 7TH EDITION REFERENCING GUIDE............................................................................................. 56
5. Past Project that got 95%.............................................................................................................. 62
, Property of Perfectionist Notes
Illegal distribution/selling/use will be prosecuted
1. Instructions
Research Area: Cognitive Psychology
Project Title: Illusory Pattern Perceptions: What are the implications?
Limited to 200 students
Project Description
• We perceive and recognize patterns with most of our senses. We see patterns (e.g., shapes),
we hear patterns (e.g., distinguishing tunes), and we touch patterns (e.g., textures).
• The ability to identify, name and add value to patterns is paramount for the survival of
humans and animals.
• The human ability to perceive patterns and form meaningful conclusions – also known as
superior pattern perception – is also considered essential for a variety of higher cognitive
functions such as imagination and innovation, which is considered the basis for
technological developments.
• As much as we are able to perceive patterns in our environment and conclude meaningful
connections, so too can we be wrong and see patterns where there are no patterns.
• The latter leads us to perceive illusory patterns and, thus, to endorse false beliefs (i.e.,
illusory connections).
• Psychology and psychologists have always been fascinated with illusions such as size
illusions.
, Property of Perfectionist Notes
Illegal distribution/selling/use will be prosecuted
• Remember your first lectures on human perceptions and the Moon illusion, or the Ames
room illusion (in case you cannot remember them, read up on them).
Moon Illusion
The moon illusion is an optical illusion in which the moon appears larger when it is closer
to the horizon than when it is higher in the sky. This phenomenon has been noticed and
pondered over since ancient times when people first looked to the sky. It was considered a
mystery until psychological research has illuminated what may be causing our differing
perceptions of the moon. Angular size seems to be the main influence on what causing the
moon illusion. The perception of the moon size depends on the angle at which it is being
viewed. When the moon is closer to the horizon it is surrounded by objects that are much
smaller than the moon.
But what exactly is an Ames Room?
It’s a room that is built with both the floor and ceiling at an angle, creating forced
perspective and tricking your eye into thinking both sides of the room are the same. The
actual shape of the room is a trapezium.
RESEARCH PROJECT 1:
REPORT GUIDE 2024
(Assessment 4)
, Property of Perfectionist Notes
Illegal distribution/selling/use will be prosecuted
Contents
1. Instructions ..................................................................................................................................... 2
2. The broad topic ............................................................................................................................... 6
3. The Rubric ....................................................................................................................................... 8
4. STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT ........................................................................................................... 9
5. APA 7TH EDITION REFERENCING GUIDE............................................................................................. 56
5. Past Project that got 95%.............................................................................................................. 62
, Property of Perfectionist Notes
Illegal distribution/selling/use will be prosecuted
1. Instructions
Research Area: Cognitive Psychology
Project Title: Illusory Pattern Perceptions: What are the implications?
Limited to 200 students
Project Description
• We perceive and recognize patterns with most of our senses. We see patterns (e.g., shapes),
we hear patterns (e.g., distinguishing tunes), and we touch patterns (e.g., textures).
• The ability to identify, name and add value to patterns is paramount for the survival of
humans and animals.
• The human ability to perceive patterns and form meaningful conclusions – also known as
superior pattern perception – is also considered essential for a variety of higher cognitive
functions such as imagination and innovation, which is considered the basis for
technological developments.
• As much as we are able to perceive patterns in our environment and conclude meaningful
connections, so too can we be wrong and see patterns where there are no patterns.
• The latter leads us to perceive illusory patterns and, thus, to endorse false beliefs (i.e.,
illusory connections).
• Psychology and psychologists have always been fascinated with illusions such as size
illusions.
, Property of Perfectionist Notes
Illegal distribution/selling/use will be prosecuted
• Remember your first lectures on human perceptions and the Moon illusion, or the Ames
room illusion (in case you cannot remember them, read up on them).
Moon Illusion
The moon illusion is an optical illusion in which the moon appears larger when it is closer
to the horizon than when it is higher in the sky. This phenomenon has been noticed and
pondered over since ancient times when people first looked to the sky. It was considered a
mystery until psychological research has illuminated what may be causing our differing
perceptions of the moon. Angular size seems to be the main influence on what causing the
moon illusion. The perception of the moon size depends on the angle at which it is being
viewed. When the moon is closer to the horizon it is surrounded by objects that are much
smaller than the moon.
But what exactly is an Ames Room?
It’s a room that is built with both the floor and ceiling at an angle, creating forced
perspective and tricking your eye into thinking both sides of the room are the same. The
actual shape of the room is a trapezium.
