Lecture 3: Gestalt Principles of Perception

Overview

• Gestalt Principles: A form of top-down processing.
  • Organizes perceptions into unified, holistic experiences.
  • Applies to all senses: sight, sound, movement, etc.

Law of Simplicity

• Every stimulus pattern is perceived as the simplest structure possible.
• Evolutionary perspective: allows for quick, efficient perception to enhance survival.
• Key idea: organize sensory information into simple, holistic patterns.

The Famous Five Principles of Perception

1. Proximity

• Definition: Objects near each other are grouped together.
  • Example: Dots perceived as groups based on proximity.
• Effect: Strong and automatic influence on perception.

2. Closure

• Definition: Brain fills in gaps to perceive complete forms.
  • Example: Incomplete shapes perceived as whole (triangles, faces, letters).
• Purpose: Simplification for quick decision-making.

3. Similarity

• Definition: Alike objects are perceived together.
  • Criteria: Shape, size, color (hue), orientation, brightness.
  • Example: Seeing columns or rows based on color similarity.

4. Continuity

• Definition: Lines and patterns perceived as continuous in time/space.
  • Example: Lines perceived as continuing behind objects.
• Law of Good Continuation: Points connected in straight or curving lines perceived as continuous structures.
• Example: Vertical and curvy lines perceived over color differences.

5. Common Fate

• Definition: Objects moving together are grouped perceptually.
  • Example: Flock of birds perceived as a single group.
• Demonstrated through movement examples in videos.

Conclusion

• Gestalt principles automatically organize sensory input into meaningful structures.
• Competition can occur between different principles.
• Encouragement to use discussion board for questions and Q&A sessions.