Perception filter

E418766

A perception filter is a fictional device or effect that subtly manipulates human awareness so that people overlook or fail to consciously notice whatever it is concealing.

All labels observed (1)

Label Occurrences
Perception filter canonical 1

How this entity was disambiguated

Statements (47)

Predicate Object
instanceOf Cognitive manipulation effect
Fictional concept
Mind-affecting device
activationMode Passive continuous effect in most depictions
appeal Plays on real-world phenomena of not noticing obvious things
audiencePerception Understood as a plot device
category Fictional mind control
Fictional technology
Plot device
contrastWith Physical camouflage
True invisibility
designGoal Minimize disruption to surrounding environment while hiding targets
doesNotRequire Complete physical concealment
effectOnHumans Causes people to overlook concealed targets
Prevents conscious registration of what is seen
Subtly manipulates human awareness
genre Science fiction
hasProperty Often portable or wearable in fiction
Subtle rather than overt in effect
influences How characters navigate dangerous or restricted areas
inUniverseTechnologyLevel Advanced alien technology
limitation Can be noticed indirectly or via recording in some depictions
Can fail if observer concentrates deliberately
mechanismType Low-level cognitive interference
Psychological distraction
medium Television
narrativeFunction Allow characters to remain effectively unseen in plain sight
Conceal objects or persons from conscious notice
originatedInFranchise Doctor Who expanded universe
surface form: Doctor Who franchise
primaryUsersInCanon Companions of the Doctor
The Doctor
Torchwood
surface form: Torchwood Institute
relatedConcept Cloaking device
Cognitive bias
Invisibility field
Perceptual blindness
Psychic paper
requires Presence of susceptible observers
storyPurpose Enable covert movement of characters
Explain why extraordinary things are not widely noticed
typicalUseCase Hiding doors
Hiding people
Hiding technology
usedInWork Doctor Who
Torchwood
visibilityStatus Does not make targets physically invisible
Relies on observer’s mind ignoring the target

How these facts were elicited

Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

The Box hasSecurityFeature Perception filter