R. Gregory (1970)

• Who proposed the Constructivist Theory of Perception?

  Richard Gregory
• What does the Constructivist Theory suggest about perception?

  It is based on past experiences and incoming data
• How does Gregory's theory describe the process of perception?

  As a construction relying on top-down processing
• What percentage of visual information is lost before reaching the brain, according to Gregory?

  About 90%
• What role do visual cues play in perception?

  They help perceive depth, distance, and size
• What happens when visual cues are misinterpreted?

  It can lead to a visual illusion
• What does Gregory call a mistaken conclusion drawn from sensory information?

  A mistaken hypothesis
• What does Gregory argue about the origin of perception?

  It is acquired through experience (nurture)
• How does cultural background influence perception?

  It shapes how we interpret sensory information
• What are the strengths of Gregory's Constructivist Theory?

  • Supported by research on cultural differences, for instance Segall et Al and Hundson
  • Explains visual illusions and mistaken hypotheses
• What are the weaknesses of Gregory's Constructivist Theory?

  • Visual illusions are artificial and 2D so they may not tell us much about how perception works in reality
  • Cannot explain the origin of perception or examples of innate perception-there are many studies which suggest that babies have some perceptual abilit
• What are inferences?


  Conclusions made on a topic we are unsure of by drawing on evidence and past experience
• What is one strength of Gregory's Constructivist Theory?

  Supported by research on cultural differences
• How does Gregory's Constructivist Theory explain visual illusions?

  It explains them through mistaken hypotheses
• What is a weakness of Gregory's Constructivist Theory regarding visual illusions?

  They are artificial and 2D
• Why might visual illusions not accurately reflect perception in reality?

  Because they are artificial and 2D
• What is a limitation of Gregory's Constructivist Theory regarding the origin of perception?

  It cannot explain the origin of perception
• What evidence challenges Gregory's Constructivist Theory about innate perception?

  Studies suggest babies have perceptual abilities
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of Gregory's Constructivist Theory?

  Strengths:

  • Supported by research on cultural differences
  • Explains visual illusions and mistaken hypotheses

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Visual illusions are artificial and 2D
  • Cannot explain the origin of perception
  • Cannot account for innate perceptual abilities in babies