The Perception of Pictures

Dürer's Devices: Beyond the Projective Model of Pictures

1st Edition - November 28, 1980
Editor: Margaret A. Hagen
Language: English
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 1 - 4 8 3 2 - 5 9 5 6 - 7

Durer's Devices: Beyond the Projective Model of Pictures is a collection of papers that discusses the nature of picture making and perception. One paper presents a perceptual… Read more

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Durer's Devices: Beyond the Projective Model of Pictures is a collection of papers that discusses the nature of picture making and perception. One paper presents a perceptual theory of pictorial representation in which cultural and historical options in styles of depiction that appear to be different are actually closely related perceptually. Another paper discusses pictorial functions and perceptual structures including pictorial representation, perceptual theory, flat canvass, and the deep world. One paper suggests that perception can be more a matter of information "make up" than "pick up." Light becomes somewhat informative and the eye, correspondingly, becomes less or more presumptive. Another paper notes that human vision is transformed by our modes of representation, that image formation can be essentially incomplete, false, or misleading (primarily as regards dramatic performance and pictorial representation). One paper makes three claims that: (1) the blind have untapped depiction abilities; (2) haptics, involving the sense of touch, have an intuitive sense of perspective; and (3) depiction is perceptual based on graphic elements and pictorial configurations. The collection is suitable for psychologists, physiologists, psychophysicists, and researchers in human perception or phenomenology.

List of Contributors

Foreword

Preface

Introduction

Contents of Volume I

Part I Theories of Pictures and their Perception

Chapter 1 Generative Theory: A Perceptual Theory of Pictorial Representation

Introduction: Major Issues and Theories in Perception

Constructivist Theory of Perception

Gestalt Theory of Perception

Gibson's Theory of Ecological Optics: Perspectivism

Gibson's Theory of Ecological Optics: Invariant Information

Brief Critical Summary

Generative Theory of Perception

Summary of Generative Theory of Representation

Sources and Divergencies

References

Chapter 2 Pictorial Functions and Perceptual Structures

Pictorial Representation and Perceptual Theory

Flat Canvas and Deep World: Evolving Solutions and Shifting Intentions

References

Chapter 3 How the Eye Makes Up What the Light Leaves Out

Projective Ambiguity and the Need for a Good Form Approach

Geometric Constraints on Assuming Good Form

Evidence That Perception Imposes Good Form in Accordance with Geometric Constraints

The Role of Good Form in Perceiving Real Objects

How Good Form Geometrically Determines Proportion and Orientation

Evidence That the Perception of Proportion and Orientation Accords with Geometry

Models of Perceptual Process Using Good Form

A Good Form Approach to the Perception of Curved Objects

What the Light Leaves Out

References

Chapter 4 Visual Scenarios: The Role of Representation in Visual Perception

Introduction

Visual Posture and Representational Form

Visual Scenarios

Perspective

Conclusion: From Ecology to Culture

References

Part II Empirical Investigation of the Perception of Pictures

Chapter 5 Development of Pictorial Perception

Introduction

Infant Sensitivity to Visual Depth

Pictorial Perception in Early Childhood

References

Chapter 6 A Perspective on Cross-Cultural Picture Perception

Introduction

Perception of Objects

Pictorial Depth Perception

Summary and Conclusions

References

Chapter 7 Pictorial Perception: Hemispheric Specialization and Developmental Regression in the Neurologically Impaired

Introduction

Heuristic Justification

Special Character of Pictures

Organismic -Developmental Theory

Neurological Evidence: General Considerations and Caveats

Research on the Perception of Faces

Visual Agnosia and Related Perceptual Deficits

Drawing Disability and Laterality of Lesion

Summary of Pictorial Work in Neuropsychology

Lateralization of Pictorial Component Abilities

Organismic-Developmental Interpretation of the Lateralization Work

Developmental Regression of Pictorial Depth Perception in the Neurologically Impaired: Future Directions

References

Chapter 8 Blind People Recognizing and Making Haptic Pictures

Introduction

Participants

Materials

Interview

Orientation of a Picturing Surface

Pictures Without Text

Drawing Tasks

Discussion

Conclusion

Appendix: The Nature of Haptics

References

Chapter 9 Picture Perception in Nonhuman Subjects

Introduction: The "Why Bother" Question

Questions About Animal Picture Perception: A Review of the Literature

Open Questions

Summary

Reference Notes

References

Subject Index