A1e1 The Gestalt theory of illusions

Question 1

Gestalt laws

Answer 1

It suggests that our perception organizes the parts of a stimulus into a ‘whole’. E.g how we perceive groups and continuous lines using the laws of proximity, continuity and similarity. Because of the figure-ground we separate ‘objects’ from ‘backgrounds. The gestalt law of closure means that we tend to ‘complete’ edges and shapes

Question 2

Peterson (1994)

Answer 2

An experiment where stimulus was divided into figure and ground. Participants recognized the objecy faster when it was the right way round. This shows participants were recognizing the object before they organized their perception into figure and ground

Question 3

Strengths of the Gestalt theory

Answer 3

It provides a good explanation for ambiguous figures and fictions

Question 4

Weaknesses of the Gestalt theory

Answer 4

It cannot explain any distortions other than the Muller-Lyer illusion