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Observation vs. Inference
• Observation – Anything you can see, hear, smell, touch, taste, (Using your senses).
• Observation Basics.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Observation Basics.
– Our perceptions are not photographs, they are constructions - something that our minds manufacture.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Observation Basics.
– Our perceptions are not photographs, they are constructions - something that our minds manufacture.
– What we perceive is partially determined by what we know or believe.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Observation Basics.
– Our perceptions are not photographs, they are constructions - something that our minds manufacture.
– What we perceive is partially determined by what we know or believe.
– Constructive perception has survival value - it helps us make sense of the world.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Observation Basics.
– Our perceptions are not photographs, they are constructions - something that our minds manufacture.
– What we perceive is partially determined by what we know or believe.
– Constructive perception has survival value - it helps us make sense of the world.
– So, seeing is not necessarily believing.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
Do these red lines bend?
• Video Link! Amazing Anamorphic Illusions
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBNHPk-Lnkk
• Please write down the phrase that you will see on the next slide? You get just a second.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
Mary had
had a little lamb
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
“Write down what it said in your journal?”
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
“Did your brain act faster than
your eyes?”
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
Mary had
had a little lamb
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
Mary had
had a little lamb
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
Mary had
had a little lamb
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
Our brains are programmed for normal right side-up.
Remember…
• An observation is the act of gathering information by using your senses
• Observation Basics.
– Our perceptions are not photographs, they are constructions - something that our minds manufacture.
– What we perceive is partially determined by what we know or believe.
– Constructive perception has survival value - it helps us make sense of the world.
– So, seeing is not necessarily believing.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
What is an inference?
• An inference is the process of drawing a conclusion from given evidence.
Catalyst: Look at the following picture. What is happening? Write a short paragraph/story
about what you think happened.
So for the Catalyst…
• Possible observations might be:- there are two sets of tracks- one set of tracks is smaller than the other- the two sets of tracks meet - only one set of tracks is visible after the two sets meet
So, for the Catalyst…
• Possible inferences might be:- two animals were walking toward one another- the animals had a fight- the bigger animal ate the smaller animal
How do observations and inferences differ?
• An observation is only what you can actually see, smell, taste, touch or hear
• An inference is what you decide based on those observations
Why Is It So Important to Differentiate Between Observations and Inferences?
• In science, we need to base our hypotheses and experiments on facts and observations
• If we base our hypotheses and experiments on opinions or inferences, we can never prove anything!
• Science is based on facts and observations, not INFERENCES! However, your inferences could help guide future experimentation.
• Activity! How well do you observe the world around you.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Activity! How well do you observe the world around you.
– Observe the scene for 1 minute and then answer some questions afterward.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Questions about the previous scene.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Questions for the street scene.
–How many vehicles were driving?
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Questions for the street scene.
–How many vehicles were driving?
• Two were driving, two were parked.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Questions for the street scene.
–What type of vehicles were they?
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Questions for the street scene.
–What type of vehicles were they?
• Utility van with no labels and small 4 door SUV.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Questions for the street scene.
–What colors were they?
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Questions for the street scene.
–What colors were they?
• Utility van was white, SUV was dark blue
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Questions for the street scene.
–Was it raining?
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Questions for the street scene.
–Was it raining?
–Answer: No. But the SUV’s wipers were on, conditions were overcast and the SUV could have just possibly come from the rain or driven through a sprinkler.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
Inference
• Questions for the street scene.
–What was the speed limit?
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Questions for the street scene.
–What was the speed limit?
• 35 mph
• What country is this picture in?
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Questions for the street scene.
–What was the speed limit?
• 35 mph
• What country is this picture in?
• The United States most likely because 35 mph is not Metric. The U.S. is one of the few countries to use the Old English System.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
Inference
• Questions for the street scene.
–How many witnesses were there, what were they doing?
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Questions for the street scene.
–How many witnesses were there, what were they doing?
• One witness, mowing the lawn.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Questions for the street scene.
–What season was it?
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Questions for the street scene.
–What season was it?
• Summer, the leaves were well established and green.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Questions about the previous scene.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• What is this a picture of?
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• What is this a picture of?
• What else?
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• What is this a picture of?
• What else?
– A women (adult) with blonde hair, maroon shirt and wearing eyeglasses.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Questions for the ocean scene?
– Specifically, where was this photo taken?
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Questions for the ocean scene?
– Specifically, where was this photo taken?
– Picture taken by passenger on a bus or train (tinted windows). Image is of a women sitting by the window seat. No smoking sign can be seen in the reflection. Her left arm is against her cheek.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy