Key term
AQA GCSE Psychology 8182
Memory
Perception
Development
Research Methods
Topic overviewHypotheses and variablesSampling methodsExperimental designs and types of experimentInterviews, questionnaires, case studies and observationsResearch procedures, reliability and validityEthical issues in psychological researchTypes of data, calculations and averagesCorrelation, graphs and the normal distribution
Social Influence
Language, Thought and Communication
Brain and Neuropsychology
Perception
- 5 subtopics
- 15 things to know
- Paper 1
What Perception covers
Perception is examined in Paper 1, Cognition and behaviour. It covers sensation, perception and depth cues, Gibson's direct theory of perception, visual illusions, Gregory's constructivist theory of perception and perceptual set and factors affecting perception.
Where it is assessed
Paper 1
Cognition and behaviour, 1 hour 45 minutes and 50% of the GCSE.
Check the AQA specification ↗The 5 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- Sensation, perception and depth cuesThe difference between sensation and perception, the monocular cues of height in plane, relative size, occlusion and linear perspective, and retinal disparity, convergence and size constancy.Open →
- Gibson's direct theory of perceptionBottom-up processing, the optic array and motion parallax, the visual cliff study and the nature side of the debate, and the problem visual illusions pose for the theory.Open →
- Visual illusionsAmbiguity, misinterpreted depth cues, fiction and size constancy as explanations, and the Ponzo, Müller-Lyer, Rubin's vase, Ames Room, Kanizsa triangle and Necker cube illusions.Open →
- Gregory's constructivist theory of perceptionTop-down processing, perceptual inference and hypotheses, the evidence from illusions and cross-cultural research, and how the theory compares with Gibson's.Open →
- Perceptual set and factors affecting perceptionPerceptual set and the effects of culture, emotion, motivation and expectation, with Gilchrist and Nesberg's hunger study and Bruner and Minturn's ambiguous figure study.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
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Outline the method of Bruner and Minturn's study.
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What is sensation?
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What is the main claim of Gibson's direct theory of perception?
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What is the main claim of Gregory's constructivist theory of perception?
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What is perception?
Process
What is meant by bottom-up processing?
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What is a visual illusion?
Process
What is top-down processing?
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What is perceptual set?
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Explain the difference between sensation and perception, using the example of seeing a friend across the street.
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What did Gibson mean by the optic array?
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How does ambiguity explain some visual illusions?
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Why did Gregory believe the brain has to make inferences?
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How can culture affect perception?
Take Perception further
The same content, four other ways.
Commonly confused
Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.
Sensation vs Perception
Sensation: the detection of light, sound and other stimuli by receptors in the eyes and ears. Perception: the brain organising and interpreting incoming signals to give them meaning.
Monocular depth cues vs Binocular depth cues
Monocular depth cues: distance information that needs only one eye. Binocular depth cues: distance information that needs both eyes working together.
Retinal disparity vs Convergence
Retinal disparity: the slight difference between the images received by the two eyes. Convergence: the inward turning of the eyes to focus on a near object.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
What is sensation?
Model answer
Sensation is the detection of physical energy, such as light or sound, by the sense organs. The information is then passed to the brain as nerve impulses.
- 2
What is perception?
Model answer
Perception is the process by which the brain organises and interprets sensory information. Interpretation turns raw sensations into meaningful experiences, such as recognising a face.
- 3
Explain the difference between sensation and perception, using the example of seeing a friend across the street.
Model answer
Sensation is the eyes detecting the light reflected from the friend. Perception is the brain interpreting that information and recognising the person as your friend.
- 4
What is a depth cue?
Model answer
A depth cue is a feature of the visual scene that helps us judge distance. Depth cues allow a flat image on the retina to be seen in three dimensions.
- 5
What is the difference between monocular and binocular depth cues?
Model answer
Monocular depth cues can be used with only one eye. Binocular depth cues need both eyes working together.
- 6
What is the depth cue of height in plane?
Model answer
Height in plane means objects placed higher in the visual field, nearer the horizon, are seen as further away.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Perception revision questions
- What does Perception cover in AQA GCSE Psychology?
- 5 subtopics: sensation, perception and depth cues, gibson's direct theory of perception, visual illusions, gregory's constructivist theory of perception and perceptual set and factors affecting perception. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Perception organised?
- By the AQA 8182 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Perception, on a schedule.
Attempt a question from memory, write the correct version, then attempt it again. Levo records the jump between your first attempt and your last, and brings each question back on the day you are due to forget it.
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