Theories of perception

Gibson’s Direct theory (bottom-up)

During this lesson...
We will explore direct/bottom up theories
of perception

We will demonstrate how perception can

be effected

We will explore an indirect/top down

theory
Gibson’s theory
Gibson suggested that perception is
simply the detection of information.

Information received by the senses is

sufficient to perceive the world
around us.

No perceptual expectations are

necessary.
Gibson’s theory (1979)
Optic array
Gibson suggested that the changing pattern
of light around us (optic array) gives us
sufficient information for perception.
The optic array is
the bundle of
light that moves
towards us from
each point of an
image.
Gibson’s theory (1989)
Optic flow
Gibson highlighted optic flow as an
important aspect of optic array.
Optic flow is the movement of objects in
our visual perception. As we move
towards a fixed point in our environment
objects that are directly in front of us
appear stationary, and objects to the side
appear to move towards us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQ0MXaib0XE&index=7&list=PL
E64F3EAEE9FAD236
Gibson’s theory (1989)
Ecological aspects of perception
Gibson believed that we are unable to fully
understand how perception works unless we
study how it works in real environments. E.g.
Most objects in our environment have texture
which appears finer as we get further away
from objects. This is called texture gradient.

As we move towards an object, its

texture changes and we are able
to use this information from the
optic array to judge distance.
Gibson’s theory (1989)
The role of invariants
Some information in our environment does not
change and this provides us with information
crucial for accurate perception.
One invariant feature is ‘horizon-ratio’ relation-
this allows us to perceive the size of objects. It is
best to explain this using a diagram...

Man 1 and Man 2 appear to be the

same size as their horizon-ratio is the
same (the horizon point passes at the
same height)
Man 3 is actually the same size as man
1 but looks tiny because the horizon
ratio is different.
Gibson’s theory (1989)
Making sense of the optical array.
Resonance- how we make sense
http://www.youtub
of information from our optic e.com/watch?v=Ahg
array. We can select the 6qcgoay4
information that we think we
need.
Affordance- the potential for
‘action’ offered by objects.
Do you push or
Some objects are shaped in a
pull a door that
way that suggests what you can
has a handle?
do with it.
e.g, a handle on a door.