Experiments Quote by Neville
““Experiments recently conducted by Merle Lawrence (Princeton) and Adelbert Ames (Dartmouth) in the latter’s psychology laboratory at Hanover, N.H., prove that what you see when you look at something depends not so much on what is there as on the assumption you make when you look. Since what we believe to be the “real” physical world is actually only an “assumptive” world, it is not surprising that these experiments prove that what appears to be solid reality is actually the result of “expectations” or “assumptions.””
About This Quote
Source Research Summary: Psychology experiments, Princeton and Dartmouth, 20th century
Experiments show perception is shaped more by the observer’s assumptions than by the actual stimulus, suggesting reality is constructed by expectations.
In simple terms: What you see depends on what you assume, not just what’s there.
Key Takeaway
Recognize assumptions shape perception.
Themes
perception
cognition
reality
assumptions
Mood
analytical
curious
Type
theoretical
educational
When to use this quote
- clinical assessment
- education
- design thinking
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
psychology
experimental design
cognitive bias
Questions to Reflect On
- What assumptions guide your decisions?
- How can you test them?
A Different Perspective
Assumptions can be misleading; objective data still matters.
