Perceptual Set - GCSE Psychology Definition

Perceptual Set is a concept in psychology that explains how our expectations, experiences, emotions, and culture can influence what we see, hear, or feel. It's like a mental shortcut that helps our brain make sense of the world quickly. For example, if you expect to see a certain object in a specific place, your brain is more likely to notice it as being there, even if it's not actually present. This idea helps us understand why people might see the same thing differently based on their own background or current situation. In GCSE Psychology, understanding perceptual set can help you learn how our mind interprets sensory information and why we sometimes perceive things inaccurately.