Perceptual Constancy
Definition
Perceptual constancy is the tendency to perceive an object as remaining stable and unchanging despite changes in sensory input, such as alterations in its distance or in the light it reflects.
Analogy
Think of perceptual constancy like recognizing your friend from a distance. Even though their image on your retina is much smaller than when they're close up, you still recognize them because of perceptual constancy.
Related terms
Size Constancy: This refers to our perception that an object remains the same size even if its distance from us changes.
Shape Constancy: This is our ability to perceive an object as having the same shape despite changes in its orientation or angle of view.
Color Constancy: This refers to perceiving familiar objects as having consistent color, even if changing illumination alters the wavelengths reflected by the object.
"Perceptual Constancy" appears in:
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (6)
What does "perceptual constancy" refer to?
In context of visual sensation, how do optical illusions illustrate perceptual constancy?
What does the concept of "perceptual constancy" refer to in psychology?
Which phenomenon best describes perceptual constancy?
How does perceptual constancy influence our interpretation of visual stimuli?
What phenomena is explained by the principle of perceptual constancy in visual perception?
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