logo

Learning objective

Gibson’s direct theory of perception covers: the bottom-up approach emphasizing the role of innate factors and sensory information for survival; the concept of optic flow, which describes how objects appear as the observer moves; motion parallax, where nearer objects seem to move more quickly than those further away; types of invariants in the environment that remain constant during movement, such as linear perspective and texture perspective; and affordance, which refers to the actions we perceive our environment to enable.

Read the explanation, check the common trap, then practise with flashcards and questions.

Exam focus

  • Read the explanation.
  • Check key terms.
  • Practise with linked questions.
Cambridge IGCSE PsychologyVisual perception

Study support

Understand this objective

Quick explanation

Gibson’s direct theory of perception covers: the bottom-up approach emphasizing the role of innate factors and sensory information for survival; the concept of optic flow, which describes how objects appear as the observer moves; motion parallax, where nearer objects seem to move more quickly than those further away; types of invariants in the environment that remain constant during movement, such as linear perspective and texture perspective; and affordance, which refers to the actions we perceive our environment to enable

  • This point belongs to Gibson’s direct theory of perception, including:, especially Gibson’s direct theory of perception, including: outcomes.
  • You need to be able to gibson’s direct theory of perception covers: the bottom-up approach emphasizing the role of innate factors and sensory information for survival; the concept of optic flow, which describes how objects appear as the observer moves; motion parallax, where nearer objects seem to move more quickly than those further away; types of invariants in the environment that remain constant during movement, such as linear perspective and texture perspective; and affordance, which refers to the actions we perceive our environment to enable.
  • The key ideas to know are Define, Describe, and Explain.
  • Use the linked flashcards and practice questions to check recall, then practise applying the idea in an exam-style answer.

Key concepts

DefineDescribeExplainOutline

Why it matters

This objective helps connect Gibson’s direct theory of perception, including: outcomes to exam-style questions, flashcards, and revision notes for Gibson’s direct theory of perception, including:.

Revision tools

Choose how to practise

Back to topic hub
Flashcards10 linked cards

Flashcard 1 of 10

Press Space to flip, arrows to move
Practice Questions7 linked questions

Question 1 of 7

Choose an answer, get feedback, then move sideways through the set.

0 of 5 attempted

Paper 1 structured question: Gibson’s direct theory of perception, including:

Paper 1Approaches, Issues and Debates1 marks

Description

Gibson’s Direct Theory of Perception

Gibson’s theory includes concepts such as optic flow, motion parallax, invariants, and affordance.

  1. a

    Define the term 'affordance' as used in Gibson’s theory.

    Aim for approximately 1 distinct marking point.

    [1]
Revision notestopic notes

Open the full topic revision notes when you are ready to review this objective in context.

Open revision notes

Related learning objectives

Revision hubs

Move back to a broader study route