What is 'perceptual constancy'?

Perceptual constancy refers to the brain's ability to perceive objects as stable and unchanging, even when there are variations in sensory input due to changes in perspective, distance, or lighting conditions. This means that no matter how an object may appear due to shifts in the environment or changes in our viewpoint, we still recognize it as the same object.

For example, a familiar door is still perceived as a rectangle even when viewed from an angle that distorts its shape. This phenomenon is critical for our understanding of the world, as it allows us to recognize and interact with objects consistently, maintaining a sense of stability and coherence in our perception.

The other choices do not encapsulate the concept of perceptual constancy accurately. They describe different aspects of perception but do not reflect the fundamental idea that objects remain constant in our perception regardless of sensory fluctuations.