Gibson’s direct theory of perception

• Whose theory does this one contrast? 


  Gregory’s constructivist theory of perception.
• What did Gibson believe about perception? 


  That it doesn’t draw on our past experiences.
• What was a positive evaluation of Gibson’s direct theory of perception?

  It had real world meaning (APPLICABILITY) as the research was done on WWII pilots, making it relevant to daily life.
• What was a negative evaluation of Gibson’s direct theory of perception?

  The theory struggles to explain visual illusions, perception is seen as accurate but illusions trick the brain — making the theory feel incomplete.
• What did Gibson believe about the influence of nature?

  Perception is inborn, not learned.
• What is an optic flow pattern? 


  When moving, things in the distance appear stationary and everything else rushes past.
• What type of info do optic flow patterns provide us?

  Perceptual info about speed and distance.
• What type of depth cue is motion parallax?

  Monocular. (ONE eye)
• What happens with motion parallax?


  When we’re moving past them, closer objects appear to move faster than objects that are further away.
• What type of info does motion parallax give us? 


  Perceptual info about speed and distance. (same as optic flow patterns)
• What did Gibson believe about perception and sensation? 


  Sensation and perception are the SAME.
• What do the eyes do in Gibson’s theory? 


  Detect everything we need to know, making inferences obsolete.
• What is there sufficient info for in Gibson’s theory? 


  Direct perception.