QUESTION 9 Flashcards
When did Gestalt psychology emerge
Early 1900s
What is nativism
Concept or belief which describes mental abilities and processes as innate rather than learned
What is empiricism
Nurture favoured over nature, learning derived from experience
Other theories at the time believed
Sensations allow perception by given meaning to these sensations
Gestalt approach based on
notion of grouping and organising sensations in order to perceive them on a simpler level (the whole is greater than the sum of its parts)
Two theorists opposing Gestalt view
Gibson and Gregory
Key concept to to Gregory and Gibson
Bottom-up processing was a key concept in perception, we perceive the individual sense first and then apply meaning to them to make sense of them
Gestalts argued the principles of —– could be used for perception (7)
1) Symmetry
2) Proximity
3) Good continuation
4) Figure-ground
5) Similarity
6) Closure
7) Pragnanz
Principle of Figure-ground
distinguishing between figure and ground (black writing on white paper)
Principle of Proximity
tendency to group elements together as one (arrangement of dots)
Principle of Similarity
grouping similar elements together (circles and crosses)
Principle of Good-Continuation
brain organises stimuli into continuous lines or patterns (snail swirl)
Principle of Symmetry
symmetrical areas tend to be perceived as figures
Principle of Closure
brain automatically fills in gaps in order to complete them
Pragnanz
perception occurs for the best, simplest, most stable shape
