Perception Argumentative Essay Example

different theories strive to address include the role of sensory receptors in determining our comprehension of objects in the world. Are we direct perceivers, using sensory information through bottom-up processing, or does perception result from a process that starts with sensory data but draws on our knowledge and expectations of the world through top-down processing? Gross (1996) explores this topic. Gregory (1972 and 1980) shares the top-down processing perspective with an essential concept being the construction of perception.

Gregory's constructivist approach asserts that perception is a result of combining sensory information and prior knowledge and experience. While sensory information serves as the basis for perceiving, it is not enough on its own. The top-down theory posits that the brain plays a role in interpreting what we see, yet Gregory argues that sensory information alone does not suffice for creating perceptions. The accuracy of our perceptions presents a challenge for the top-down theory, which implies we constantly make hypotheses and should therefore expect more errors. Constructivists employ the retinal image as a starting point for understanding perception.

In contrast to the idea that perception is based on mental interpretation of sensory information, Gibson (1966 and 1979) proposes that it is more helpful to view input as a pattern of light spread out over time and space, which forms an optical array containing all environmental visual information. Gibson argues that the information received by the retina provides enough detail for us to comprehend what we are perceiving (Gross and McIlveen, 1997 pg23; Twinning, 1998). Despite this, some skeptics point out that Gibson's theory is outdated and lacks clarity in certain concepts. Additionally, it is argued that perception is a

far more complicated experience than Gibson's theory suggests.

One instance of a lack of explanation is the belief that optical illusions are deceiving. A common resolution regarding the debate between bottom-up and top-down perception is that both contribute to an understanding of perception. The Gestalt philosophy has significantly impacted the area of perception psychology. Gestalt refers to a concept of "whole" or "form" in German, and psychologists following this perspective aim to uncover principles governing the interpretation of sensory data.

Gestalt psychologists are interested in how our mind arranges sensations into perceptions, with the goal of demonstrating that the perceived whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The human perceiver is able to organise a cluster of sensations into a gestalt, or a whole. In gestalt psychology, the various components that make up the whole include figure and ground, similarity, proximity, continuity, connectedness, and closure. Recognising the object or figure and distinguishing it from its surrounding ground is considered the first perceptual task according to gestalt psychologists (Myers, 2000).

Once the differentiation of the figure from its ground is achieved, the next step is to organize it into a significant form. Gestalt psychologists argue that our minds follow specific rules for grouping stimuli together, and these rules demonstrate that the perceived whole is greater than the sum of its parts (Myers, 2000). According to them, we perceive complex shapes in their simplest form, such as smooth continuous lines rather than discontinuous patterns (continuity). When linked together, we perceive spots or lines as single units (connectedness), and we also fill gaps to make objects complete (closure). In other words, a shape with a broken, dotted or

discontinuous line might be perceived as a whole continuous figure (Vernon, 1965).

According to Gestalt psychologists, our brains do not just process information about the world, but they also go beyond it by utilizing various cues in our perception of depth, motion, size, shape, and lightness. The brain makes use of both binocular and monocular cues to transform 2D retinal images into 3D perceptions of depth. Additionally, the brain computes motion as images move across or towards the retina. Objects also appear to have unchanging characteristics despite their distance, shape or motion, as described by size, shape and lightness constancies. Nevertheless, visual illusions demonstrate how our perception goes beyond the information provided in the stimulus. It's debated among philosophers whether our perceptual abilities come from nature or nurture. (Gross, 1996; Myers, 2000).

According to Immanuel Kant (1724-1804), our knowledge originates from our inherent methods of organizing sensory experiences, whereas John Locke (1962-1704) believed that our encounters aid us in comprehending the world. These philosophers, Kant and Locke, emphasize the significance of experiences and how they significantly affect our perceptual interpretation. The process of transforming sensations into perceptions can also be explained through perceptual schemas, which refer to knowledge linked to a location or an event, typically based on one's anticipations regarding a specific environment. Our schemas offer us with preconceived expectations that operate in a 'top-down' manner, facilitating our interpretation of 'bottom-up' information that reaches our senses.

According to the essay, schemas improve predictability but may also cause distortions, such as optical illusions. Perception is a significant aspect of psychology, as evidenced by the essay's exploration of the question regarding the role of the mind

versus sensation in human perception. Both perception and sensation are crucial, and without sensation, we cannot perceive the world around us. Therefore, perception cannot be reduced merely to the sum of its parts.