Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Fail to perceive refers to the inability to notice or detect a change in a stimulus, especially when the change happens gradually. It is a phenomenon where individuals do not register or recognize alterations in their environment.
Related terms
Change blindness: Change blindness is a phenomenon where individuals fail to notice significant changes in visual stimuli because their attention is focused elsewhere.
Inattentional blindness: Inattentional blindness occurs when individuals fail to perceive an unexpected stimulus because their attention is directed towards something else.
Sensory adaptation: Sensory adaptation refers to the process by which our senses become less responsive to constant or repetitive stimuli over time.