Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 6, 2026
07:34
Perceptual and Category Processing of the Uncanny Valley Hypothesis' Dimension of Human Likeness: Some Methodological Issues
Published on: June 3, 2013
18.0K
Seeing is believing: Early perceptual brain processes are modified by social feedback
Julie Zanesco1,2, Eda Tipura2,3, Andres Posada2
1a School of Psychology, University of Queensland , Brisbane , Australia.
Social Neuroscience
|August 24, 2018
Summary
Social pressure alters perception, not just agreement. Brain imaging shows early visual processing changes within 100ms due to peer feedback, demonstrating modified perception.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Social psychology studies show individuals conform to group opinions in perceptual tasks.
- A key question is whether conformity reflects genuine perceptual change or feigned agreement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if social feedback modifies actual perception or merely induces submissive agreement.
- To pinpoint the neural timing of social influence on perception.
Main Methods:
- Participants judged colors of ambiguous and distinct stimuli.
- Event-related potential (ERP) components were analyzed before and after receiving social feedback.
- Feedback either agreed with or disputed the participant's response.
Main Results:
- Differences in ERP components (P1 and N1) emerged as early as 100ms post-stimulus.
- These early modulations occurred even with identical stimuli.
- Early visual processing components, typically linked to low-level features, were affected.
Conclusions:
- Social pressure demonstrably modifies early perceptual brain processes.
- Conformity to social feedback influences perception at a fundamental neural level.
- This suggests genuine perceptual alterations rather than mere feigned agreement.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Causes of Social Behavior II: Cognitive Processes
206
Cognitive processes affect social behavior by guiding how individuals perceive, interpret, and respond to social stimuli. These mental processes enable individuals to assess others' behaviors, attribute causes to their actions, and form expectations based on past experiences.Causes of Behavior and Social JudgmentsIndividuals determine the causes of others' behaviors by distinguishing between personal traits and external circumstances. For example, if a friend frequently arrives late, an...
206
02:57The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison
56.1K
According to Charles Cooley, we base our image on what we think other people see (Cooley 1902). We imagine how we must appear to others, then react to this speculation. We don certain clothes, prepare our hair in a particular manner, wear makeup, use cologne, and the like—all with the notion that our presentation of ourselves is going to affect how others perceive us. We expect a certain reaction, and, if lucky, we get the one we desire and feel good about it. But more than that, Cooley...
56.1K
00:46Feedback Inhibition
57.2K
Biochemical reactions are occurring constantly in cells, converting starting substances to different products, usually with the help of enzymes that speed the reactions. Without enzymes, it would take far too long for most reactions to occur to be useful to the cell!
57.2K
01:28Automatic Processing and Automatic Social Behavior
258
Automatic processing refers to the cognitive operations that occur without conscious intent or awareness, playing a fundamental role in shaping social cognition and behavior. These processes enable individuals to navigate complex social environments efficiently by relying on mental shortcuts and pre-existing knowledge structures known as schemas. One of the most influential mechanisms underlying automatic processing is priming, which subtly activates mental representations through exposure to...
258
00:52Social Proof
32.4K
Social proof is a form of persuasion based on comparison and conformity. People compare their behavior and actions to what others are doing and will change to conform to do what their peers do.
32.4K
01:41Social Traps
26.9K
Social traps are negative situations where people get caught in a direction or relationship that later proves to be unpleasant, with no easy way to back out of or avoid. The concept was orignally introduced by John Platt who applied psychology to Garrett Hardin's "Tragedy of the Commons", where in New England herd owners could let their cattle graze in the common ground. This situation seems like a good idea, but an individual could have an advantage. If they owned...
26.9K