AQA GCSE Psychology: GREGORY'S CONSTRUCTIVIST THEORY OF PERCEPTION [Perception Topic]

This fully editable lesson on Gregory’s Constructivist Theory of Perception introduces students to the concept of perception as an active process shaped by past experiences, knowledge, and expectations. Aligned with the AQA GCSE Psychology Specification, this resource explores Gregory’s key ideas, such as inference, visual cues, and the role of nurture in perception, while critically evaluating the theory’s strengths and limitations.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive Lesson Slides: These slides outline the main principles of Gregory’s constructivist theory, highlighting the active role of inference and visual cues in perception. Concepts such as mistaken hypotheses and visual illusions are explained using examples like the Müller-Lyer illusion and Segall et al.’s cultural research, making the material relatable and engaging for students. Interactive Think-Pair-Share activities encourage deeper discussion on the influence of past experiences on perception.

• Interactive Activities: Students engage in defining key terms, answering Check-it Questions, and analysing cultural differences in perception using studies like Hudson (1960). Tasks such as interpreting ambiguous images and discussing nurture’s role in shaping perception foster critical thinking and active learning.

• Evaluation and Assessment: The lesson includes exam-style questions and a structured evaluation worksheet. Students assess the theory by weighing its strengths, such as cultural evidence, and limitations, including its inability to account for innate perception. Activities such as PEE paragraphs help students articulate and structure their evaluation of the theory effectively.