I think I’d probably notice the gorilla. I’m very ‘geared’ toward animals innately, and through my work.
People tend to see and notice what they’re deeply concerned about. This can be good, but can lead to tunnel-vision.
Several people can walk down a street together, even engaging in a conversation - and one will see all of the architectural aspects of the buildings, another will mainly notice the birds; my husband will be watching the sky for weather signs.
People are also generally wrapped-up in their own problems and worries.
Who knows what people DON’T see?
Science isn’t much different - it’s never ‘settled’ because it’s unavoidable for science to be uninfluenced by either its own current weaknesses, or the preconceived biases of the scientist.
I worry that I wouldn't see the gorilla. I multitask like a mad person. Whenever I would have a computer problem our IT guy would say because you've overloaded your system, you've got 4 sessions and 6 websites going. (Bogus argument, but that's an IT guy's bias). But I am tenacious about completing the task at hand, so it's also possible that I would miss the gorilla.