Perceptual Constancy (Noun)
Meaning
(psychology) the tendency for perceived objects to give rise to very similar perceptual experiences in spite of wide variations in the conditions of observation.
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Examples
- Perceptual constancy is essential for object recognition, as it allows us to identify a familiar face regardless of changes in lighting or viewpoint.
- The phenomenon of perceptual constancy enables us to maintain a stable perception of color, even when the ambient light conditions vary significantly.
- In the study of perceptual constancy, researchers investigate how the visual system adapts to different contexts, ensuring that objects are perceived consistently despite changing environments.
- The theory of perceptual constancy explains why a basketball appears the same size whether viewed from near or far, despite the retinal image size varying greatly.
- Experiments on perceptual constancy have demonstrated that the human brain processes sensory information in a way that prioritizes stability and continuity in our perception of the world.