What influences our perception? Signal detection theory ? Predict how and when we detect the presence of an important stimulus (signal) over background stimulation (noise) ? Argues that there is no single absolute threshold and that detection depends partly on a person?s experience, expectations, motivation, and alertness o AKA= absolute threshold is subjective ? Goal is to find why people respond differently to the same stimuli and why the same person?s reaction vary as circumstances change. o How some teachers respond to text messages o Exhausted parents will hear slightest whimper of newborn baby Experiences matter! Schemata (schemas) creates?. ? Perceptual sets: the predisposition to perceive something in a certain way.