In other respects, perception,
as well as other mental
processes, have long since been
established as suitable for, and
susceptible to, scientific
investigation. As we shall see,
we can isolate one factor at a
time and study its effect; such
isolation is the very essence of
scientific method. We can also
make reasonably rigorous
predictions about what will be
perceived in a given situation
and design experiments that
can confirm or refute these
predictions. We can repeat
observations both in the same
observer and in different
observers. We can repeat
experiments. Thus,
observations or conclusions
about perception are subject to
the tests of reliability and
verification, just as are those of
other sciences.