Identify and describe the first perceptual ability to appear after cataract patients regain their sight; and then explain four of the six Gestalt organizing principles of perception and give examples of each

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answer will include that the Gestalt psychologists proposed that the simplest organization involves grouping some sensations into an object, or figure, that stands out on a plainer background. Figure-ground organization is probably inborn, because it is the first perceptual ability to appear after cataract patients regain sight. In normal figure-ground perception, only one figure is seen. In reversible figures, however, figure and ground can be switched. Four of the following six principles should be explained with an example of each being presented. (a) One of the six organizing principles is nearness, which means that stimuli that are close to each other in space tend to be grouped together. Thus, if three people stand near each other and a fourth person stands 10 feet away, the adjacent three will be seen as a group and the distant person as an outsider. (b) Another principle is similarity, in which stimuli that are alike in size, shape, color, or form tend to be grouped together. If two bands are marching side by side and their uniforms are different colors, then the bands will be seen as two separate groups, not as one large group. (c) A third principle is continuation, or continuity. Perceptions tend toward simplicity and continuation. For example, if you have a line with shorter intersecting lines, you typically see the line as continuing in one direction rather than veering off at angles. (d) Closure is another principle and refers to the tendency to complete a figure, so that it has a consistent overall form. Closure also can be shown in illusory figures, which are implied shapes that are not actually bounded by an edge or an outline. Even young children see these shapes, despite knowing that they are "not really there.". Illusory figures reveal that our tendency to form shapes even with minimal cues is powerful. (e) The principle of contiguity involves a nearness in time and space. Contiguity is often responsible for the perception that one thing has caused another. You can demonstrate this principle to others by pretending to knock on your head with one hand while knocking on a wooden table (out of sight) with the other hand. The knocking sound if perfectly timed with the movements of the visible hand will lead to the irresistible perception that your head is made of wood. (f) The last principle is common region and involves stimuli found within a common area being seen as a group even if they are dissimilar. The principle of common region explains why we tend to mentally group together people from a particular country, state, province, or geographic region.