What is the term for the influence of expectations on our perceptions?

The term that describes the influence of expectations on our perceptions is "perceptual set." This concept refers to a mental predisposition to perceive things in a certain way, shaped by our experiences, beliefs, and expectations. When we have a perceptual set, we are more likely to notice and interpret sensory information that aligns with our expectations, while potentially overlooking or misinterpreting information that contradicts those expectations.

For example, if someone expects to see a particular object in a familiar environment, their brain may guide their perception toward that object, making it easier to notice even if it is visually ambiguous. This shows how our mindset can significantly affect how we interpret the world around us.

Other terms listed may relate to attention and perception but do not specifically emphasize the role of expectation in shaping our perceptions. Selective attention relates to focusing on certain stimuli while ignoring others, divided attention refers to processing multiple sources of information at the same time, and perceptual constancy involves recognizing objects as unchanging despite variations in sensory input. While all these concepts are related to perception, only perceptual set directly addresses how expectations shape what and how we perceive the world.