Direct Perception Flashcards
(15 cards)
Direct perception in simple terms
direct perception means you see something and know straight away what to do, without having to think about it.
Who developed the theory?
James Gibson
Key idea of direct perception
All necessary information is available in the environment — no need for internal thinking or decision-making.
Ecological psychology
We must perceive in order to move, but we must also move in order to perceive
What is an “affordance” in direct perception?
An opportunity for action that the environment provides (e.g., an open space to run into).
How does direct perception help performance
It allows faster, more automatic reactions, important in fast-paced sports.
Global flow
Everything moves, tells you that th observer must be moving, specifies observers movements, ecological
How does optic flow help athletes
It helps them judge speed, direction, and position automatically, allowing quick and accurate movement adjustments.
Optic flow
The pattern of visual movement you see when you or objects move through the environment.
How does global flow help in sport?
It helps athletes stay balanced, judge movement, and adjust their actions quickly without needing to think.
What is perception-action coupling?
It’s the direct link between perceiving information and acting on it immediately, without needing conscious thought.
global optic flow?
It’s the overall movement of the entire visual field as you move through the environment.
Why is global optic flow important for athletes?
It helps them sense their own movement, stay balanced, and react quickly during performance.
How does direct perception explain skilled movement?
Skilled movement happens automatically by directly picking up information from the environment — no thinking needed.
In direct perception, how does a tennis player react to a fast serve?
They pick up the ball’s speed and spin directly and move/react automatically without thinking.
