CONTEXT AND EXPERIENCE
Textbooks on perception are filled with examples demonstrating that the same pictures can give rise to different percepts, depending on the context in which it is observed and the past experience of the observer. Figure D illustrates the role of stimulus in perception. The center of the figure can be seen either as the letter B or the number 13, depending on the context in which it appears. Similarly past experience influences perceptual hypotheses we form when we see something for the first time. Remember the ambiguous drawing of the young woman/old woman. On first viewing, about 65 percent of people report seeing a pretty young woman, and 35 percent see an unattractive old woman. But if we first show a group of subjects a set of unambiguous pictures all depicting young women and then show them the ambiguous picture, they almost always see it as a young woman. The reverse can be demonstrated by first showing subjects a set of pictures all showing old women.
1. We AREN`T watching a television programme now.
Are we watching a television programme now?
2. We DON`T watch television every day.
Do we watch television every day?
3. It ISN`T raining very hard at the moment.
Is it raining very hard at the moment?
4. I DON`T hear you well.
Do I hear you well? / Do you hear me well?
5. It DOESN`T rain very much in summer.
Does it rain very much in summer?
6. Mr Johnson ISN`T eating his lunch now.
Is Mr Johnson eating his lunch now?
7. Mr Johnson DOESN`T always eat at that cafe.
Does Mr Johnson always eat at that cafe?
8. I DON`T see any students in that room.
Do I see any students in that room? / Do you see any students in that room?
9. They DON`T like milk for lunch.
Do they like milk for lunch?
10. He DOESN`T have money for a new car.
Does he have money for a new car?
