Question

If we see a green ice cream, we may expect it to taste a certain way (e.g., it should taste like lime). In fact, we may be quite surprised if it tasted differently than our expectations (e.g., it tastes like cherries). In other words, we automatically and unconsciously assume or guess things will have certain properties because of what we know about them. Such assumptions and predictions are called ________.

1) Hypotheses
2) Expectations
3) Predictions
4) Assumptions

Answer 1

Perceptual hypotheses are assumptions or expectations we unconsciously make about the properties of things based on past experiences and information, which shapes our perceptual set. They are distinct from scientific hypotheses or predictions, which are testable propositions in the context of scientific research.

Step-by-step explanation:

When we automatically and unconsciously make assumptions or have certain expectations regarding the properties of things based on our experiences, personalities, and prior information, this process is described as forming perceptual hypotheses. This influences our perceptual set, which is how we are primed to perceive the world around us. An example of a perceptual hypothesis could be expecting a green ice cream to taste like lime, and being surprised if it tastes like cherries instead. This is because our prior exposures to green-colored foods often being lime-flavored creates an expectation. This is somewhat different from creating a scientific hypothesis or making a prediction, which are also educated guesses but are more formal and testable propositions often used in scientific experimentation.