Neopsis

Neopsis is a term used in theoretical discussions of perception to describe the process or state in which a person derives a novel perceptual interpretation by re-structuring sensory input. The term is not widely standardized and appears primarily in scholarly debates and art theory rather than as a formal psychological diagnosis.

Etymology and scope: The word combines neo- meaning new with opsis, a Greek root for sight or appearance. In usage, neopsis denotes a shift from an established interpretation toward a newly constituted percept. It is distinct from similar terms such as synopsis or apperception, and is usually defined by context.

Concept and mechanisms: Neopsis is described as arising from the interaction of prior knowledge, context, and predictive models. Within a predictive processing framework, it reflects a reorganization of neural representations so that current input is interpreted through a refreshed hypothesis space. Ambiguity or novelty commonly triggers neopsis, producing a re-framing of what is perceived.

Applications: In cognitive science, neopsis provides a lens for analyzing perceptual switching and creative insight. In artificial intelligence, designers have proposed neopsis-inspired systems that generate alternative interpretations of sensory data. In art and media, the term is used to describe deliberate reframing of familiar scenes to reveal hidden or emergent meanings.

Limitations and critique: Because neopsis lacks precise operational criteria, measurements are often qualitative and context-dependent. Critics caution that the term risks vagueness unless paired with specific tasks, stimuli, or neurophysiological markers. See also perception, predictive coding, and gestalt theory.