Theory of Perceptual Constancy

Definition

The theory of perceptual constancy is the idea that despite changes in sensory input, our perception of objects remains relatively stable. This means that we can recognize and understand objects even when they appear different due to changes in lighting, distance, or viewing angle.

Related terms

Size Constancy: Size constancy refers to our ability to perceive the true size of an object regardless of its distance from us. For example, we know that a car doesn't actually shrink as it moves away from us.

Shape Constancy: Shape constancy is our ability to recognize an object's shape regardless of its orientation. We can still identify a door as rectangular even if we see it at an angle.

Color Constancy:

Color constancy is the tendency for perceived colors to remain relatively stable despite changes in lighting conditions. For instance, we still see a tomato as red whether it's under natural sunlight or artificial indoor lighting.