What is group testing?
Group testing can be administered to multiple persons at a time.
Explain three advantages of group testing.
- Group testing uses simplified instructions and administered procedures.
- Examiners role simplified.
- Can we administered to large roles simultaneously.
- Scoring typically more objective
- Large representative sample often used, this leads to better established norms.
- A highly verbal group test can have a more valid co-efficient than an individual test.
Identify three disadvantages of group testing
- Examinees response is more restricted.
- it is not readily detected if the examinee is tired, anxious, unwell.
- information obtained by the group test is generally less accurate than individual tests.
- individual tests offer more flexibility
Explain what individual testing is
- Can be administered to only one person at a time with a trained examiner.
What three advantages of individual testing?
- examiner can pay more attention to the examinee
- examiner can easily encourage the examinee and observe their behaviour during the test more clearly
- scores on individual test are not as dependent on reading ability as scores in group tests
Identify three disadvantages of individual testing
- it is time consuming
- requires a highly trained examiner
- costs more than group testing
Define sensation
A physiological process involving sensory receptors detecting and responding to the presence of stimuli (anything which is experienced through the senses).
Define perception
- The mental process of organising and interpreting sensory stimuli sent from the senses so it achieves meaningful form.
What are the five main senses?
Sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch
Describe what visual perception principles are
- rules that we automatically apply to visual stimuli to assist in the organisation and interpretation of stimuli in a consistent and meaningful way.
- enables the brain to group together information into a recognisable whole, to identify an objects actual size, shape and orientation and to determine the depth and distance of an object
Explain what Gestalt means and what it is used for.
- Gestalt means ‘good form’
- used to organise elements of the visual field providing perception of the whole, complete form
List the Gestalt principles
- closure
- figure ground
- similarity
- proximity
Describe two pictorial depth cues
Linear perspectives - converging of lines to indicate distance
Interposition - position of objects (in front, behind, overlapping)
Texture gradient - foreground more clear than background
Relative size - comparing size of things to understand how big they might be
Height in the visual field - closer to the horizon line means it is further away
Identify three constancies
Size constancy - understanding an object doesn’t change size depending on its location in the image
Shape constancy - knowing something doesn’t change its shape depending on its orientation
Brightness constancy - object doesn’t change just because the brightness does
Orientation constancy - object doesn’t change just because its orientation does
Define what a visual illusion is
A consistent misinterpretation (distortions or mistakes) of real visual stimuli, involving a mismatch between our perception and our understanding of physical reality. Length, position, direction or motion is misjudged consistently over time and by everyone
Explain what perceptual set is
The readiness to perceive stimuli in accordance with certain expectations that often cause us to select, organise and interpret certain stimuli and ignore others.
Often called expectancy because we expect to perceive stimuli in accordance with our expectations
List all factors that effect perception
Past experiences, motivation and context in a given situation
What factors effect perceptual set
- context
- motivation and emotional state
- effect of suggestion
- past experiences
- cultural factors
Discuss what ‘past experiences’ means
Refers to personal experiences that have happened throughout ones life. These are unique and result in many interpretations of visual stimuli. Such experiences create a perceptual set and predispose individuals to seeing stimuli in certain ways.
Explain the influence of context on perceptual set
The environment or setting in which a perceived event occurs or an object exists.
Context provides a framework within which objects and events are considered .
Context allows the observer to make quick and accurate interpretations of visual stimuli.
Context may also lead to incorrect interpretations.
Define normal waking consciousness (NWC)
The state of consciousness associated with being awake and aware of our thoughts, feelings, memories and sensations we are experiencing from the outside world.
Outline the characteristics of normal waking consciousness
- controlled and automatic processes
- content limitation
- attention (divided and selected)
Define attention
A concentration of mental activity that involves focusing on specific stimuli and ignoring other stimuli
Explain selective attention
Attending go certain stimuli while ignoring others. This could be because of a change in stimuli, novel stimuli or the stimuli is personally important to us.
