8.3 Factors Affecting Perception

• Perception allows us to understand what we are seeing when light enters our eyes.
• Factors affecting perception influence how we interpret sensory information
• What are individual differences as a factor affecting perception?

  Variations in traits and styles
• Past experiences can shape our perceptions.
• How do expectations influence perception?

  Beliefs about what to perceive
• Genetics influence the brain structure and function
• What do variations in retinal cone cells affect?

  Color perception
• Motivation can influence our perceptions.
• Cognitive biases are systematic patterns of deviation from rationality
• How does mood affect perception?

  Overall emotional state influences
• Order the steps of how psychological factors affect perception

  1️⃣ Motivation directs attention

  2️⃣ Emotion influences processing

  3️⃣ Mood affects interpretation

  4️⃣ Cognitive biases distort judgment
• What are factors affecting perception influenced by?

  Sensory information
• Perception is entirely objective and unaffected by individual traits.

  False
• Variations in retinal cone cell genes lead to different color perceptions
• Match the biological factor with its effect on perception:

  Genetics ↔️ Influences brain structure

  Sensory Organs ↔️ Determines sensory input
• Which psychological factor involves systematic deviations in judgment?

  Cognitive Biases
• An anxious person might perceive rustling as a threat
• Order the social factors influencing perception from broadest to most specific:

  1️⃣ Culture

  2️⃣ Peer Groups

  3️⃣ Media
• The media can influence consumer behavior and cultural trends.
• Match the cultural component with its influence on perception:

  Beliefs ↔️ Ideas about the world

  Values ↔️ Principles guiding behavior

  Practices ↔️ Common routines and traditions

  Norms ↔️ Expected behaviors
• What is perception defined as?

  Interpreting sensory information
• Perception is essential for guiding behavior and interactions with others.
• When light enters our eyes, the brain interprets it as a visual image
• How do individual differences affect perception?

  Variations in cognitive styles
• Past experiences can shape our perceptions of similar events.
• Variations in retinal cone cell genes can lead to different color perceptions
• Cognitive biases can lead to systematic deviations in judgment.
• Perception is subjective and shaped by internal states
• Psychological factors significantly influence how we perceive and interpret sensory information
• Match the psychological factor with its explanation:

  Motivation ↔️ Needs and desires directing attention

  Emotion ↔️ Feelings affecting sensory processing

  Mood ↔️ Overall emotional state impacting interpretation

  Cognitive Biases ↔️ Systematic deviations in judgment
• Perception is objective and not influenced by internal states

  False
• Social factors influence perception through shared norms, values, and traditions
• Match the social factor with its key influence:

  Culture ↔️ Shared norms, values, traditions

  Peer Groups ↔️ Social standards, expectations

  Media ↔️ Curated content molds public opinion
• Cultural context is not relevant in psychological studies of perception

  False
• Steps in the scientific method

  1️⃣ Make an observation

  2️⃣ Form a hypothesis

  3️⃣ Test the hypothesis with an experiment

  4️⃣ Analyze the data

  5️⃣ Draw a conclusion
• Culture influences perception through beliefs, values, practices, and norms
• Culture creates unique perceptions, making cultural context essential in psychological studies
• Match the cognitive bias with its explanation:

  Confirmation Bias ↔️ Favoring information confirming beliefs

  Halo Effect ↔️ Positive impressions influence opinions

  Anchoring Bias ↔️ Relying heavily on the first information
• Cognitive biases impact accuracy and objectivity
• Understanding factors affecting perception helps appreciate its subjective nature