Key Concepts in Gestalt Psychology and Perception

Gestalt Psychology

Emphasizes the tendency to integrate pieces of information into meaningful wholes.

Figure-ground

Differentiating the main object (figure) from the background (ground).

Grouping

The perceptual tendency to organize stimuli into understandable groups.

Similarity

The tendency to place items that look similar into a group.

Proximity

The tendency to place objects that are physically close to each other in a group.

Closure

The tendency to look at the whole by filling in gaps in a perceptual field.

Continuity

The tendency to perceive that movement of an object continues once it appears to move in a particular direction.

Depth Perception

Ability to see in three dimensions and judge distance.

Visual Cliff Experiment

Experiment that showed depth perception may be inborn to some extent.

Binocular Cues

Depth cues that use both eyes (e.g., retinal disparity, convergence).

Retinal Disparity

Is a depth cue from the slight differences between images seen by each eye.

Convergence

Neuromuscular cues, when two eyes move inward (towards the nose) to see near objects and outward (away from the nose) to see faraway objects.

Monocular Cues

Depth cues that use one eye (e.g., relative size, interposition, texture gradient).

Relative Size

A depth cue using the perceived size of familiar objects; larger objects appear closer, while smaller ones seem farther away.

Interposition (Overlap)

Objects that block others are perceived as closer.

Texture Gradient

Distant objects have a smoother texture, while closer objects show more detail.

Relative Clarity

Distant objects appear hazier and less clear, often with a bluish tint.

Linear Perspective

Parallel lines seem to converge as they extend into the distance.

Perceptual Constancy

Objects are perceived as having consistent size, shape, and color despite changes in sensory input.

Size Constancy

Understanding that objects don't change size as they move closer or farther.

Shape Constancy

Recognition of the shape of objects even when viewed from different angles.

Lightness Constancy

Perception of consistent lightness regardless of lighting changes.

Illusions

Illusions are misinterpretations of sensory stimuli.

Müller-Lyer Illusion

Misperception of line lengths.

Ames Room

Distorted room shape creates size illusions.

Hermann Grid

Dark spots perceived at intersections of a white grid.

Extrasensory Perception (ESP)

ESP refers to the perception of information not gained through known sensory channels.

Precognition

Knowledge of future events.

Telepathy

Mind-to-mind communication.

Clairvoyance

Ability to perceive remote events.