Briefly evaluate Gibson's direct theory of perception.

Gibson's direct theory of perception, also known as the ecological theory, argues that perception is a direct, bottom-up process. He believed that the visual environment is rich with information (the 'optic array') and that we perceive the world directly without needing top-down cognitive processes like inference or interpretation. A key strength is its high ecological validity and real-world applications, such as in aircraft design and road safety. However, a major weakness is its inability to account for visual illusions, which strongly suggest that our perception is not always a direct reflection of reality and is influenced by interpretation and expectation (top-down processes). This is where constructivist theories, like Gregory's, offer a contrasting view.