Module 17 Guided Notes
Influences of Perception
Perceptual Set = a set of mental tendencies and assumption that causes us to perceive one specific
thing and not another. (Shaped by experience)
 Can influence what her hear, taste, feel, and see
 Folk, Croak, Soak ….. “what do we call the white of an egg? - “YOLK” = Wrong
**** How does perceptual set influence merchandizing?
Schemas = mental representations, concepts, of information we experience (Files) – These contribute
to the role of perceptual set…predisposing us to think, feel, or see certain things with new information
Context – the setting, surrounding information, often influences the way we perceive things
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Woman sitting = box on head or window
Basketball players = Tall or short
**** Why is it not a good idea to study in bed???
**** How do we know whether a baby is a boy or girl???
4 Things that influence our perception: Expectations (perceptual set), Context, Emotions,
Motivation
 All of these are aspects of Top-Down Processing
Mood:
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Sad music = more inclined to hear sad meaning in words (Mourning vs morning, or pain vs pane)
Walking destinations appear farther if you have exercised (are fatigued)
Target appears farther if throwing a heavy object
Ball seems bigger when hitting well
Angry people perceive neutral objects as guns
Motives:
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Thirsty = water botter seems closer – provides us the energy necessary to “Go for it”
More likely to see ambiguous object as food if/when hungry
Emotions:
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Spouses who feel loved and appreciated are more likely to handle stressful marital events
positively
ESP = Controversial claim that perception can occur without sensory input
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Telepathy =
Clairvoyance =
Precognition =
Parapsychology = study of paranormal phenomenon like ESP and psychokinesis
You are enjoying dinner with your family at a local restaurant. A large group of people, both male
and female, enters the restaurant singing and talking loudly. The people continue to speak and sing
loudly throughout their time in the restaurant. How do you perceive this situation and explain this
group’s behavior? Use your knowledge of expectations/set, context, emotions, and motivations to
craft your answer.