Bayesian Perceptual Psychology Bayesian decision theory is a mathematical framework that models reasoning and decision-making under uncertainty. Around 1990, perceptual psychologists began constructing

Bayesian decision theory is a mathematical framework that models reasoning and decision-making under uncertainty. Around 1990, perceptual psychologists began constructing detailed Bayesian models of perception. 1 This research program has proved enormously fruitful. As two leading perceptual psychologists put it, “Bayesian concepts are transforming perception research by providing a rigorous mathematical framework for representing the physical and statistical properties of the environment, describing the tasks that perceptual systems are trying to perform, and deriving appropriate computational theories of how to perform those tasks” (Geisler and Kersten, 2002, p. 508). To understand perception, one must acquire detailed knowledge of Bayesian perceptual psychology. Or so I hope to convince you. §§1-2 introduce the Bayesian approach. §§3-8 highlight its philosophical significance.