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Perceptual constancy with a novel sensory skill
1Department of Psychology, Durham University.
Journal of Experimental Psychology. Human Perception and Performance
|December 3, 2020
Summary
Perceptual constancy, the stable perception of objects, is intrinsic to human perception. Training sighted individuals in echolocation demonstrated that this constancy can be learned even in novel sensory experiences.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Sensory Perception
Background:
- Perceptual constancy is crucial for understanding the world.
- It enables stable object perception despite sensory variations.
- Its intrinsic nature in human perception remains debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if perceptual constancy is an innate ability.
- To determine if constancy can be learned in a novel sensory domain.
- To explore the role of experience in developing perceptual constancy.
Main Methods:
- Participants judged echo differences in click-based echolocation.
- Two conditions tested: click variation vs. object variation.
- Compared performance of blind experts, novices, and sighted controls with training.
Main Results:
- Blind experts showed high spontaneous constancy for spectral changes.
- Novices (sighted and blind) exhibited significantly lower constancy.
- Sighted controls rapidly acquired constancy through training.
Conclusions:
- Perceptual constancy can emerge in novel sensory skills.
- Learning and experience play a key role in developing constancy.
- Findings strongly suggest perceptual constancy is intrinsic to human perception.
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