Psychology of Perception

Return to Visual Literacy Topics
	Section Overview Perceiving is the act of combining communication with learning. Through the interaction of our brain and our eyes, we are able to take in visual images. Our brain is then free to select which images it focuses on. It organizes and interprets the images using our mind's own frame of reference, which includes self-concept and perception of culture.
	Related Course Readings Arnheim, Robert (1954). Art and visual perception. Berkeley, University of California Press. Willows, D.M. and Houghton, H.A. (1987). Psychology of Illustration, Vol. I, Vol. II, Springer-Verlag, New York.
	Learning Activities Activity 1 The Impact of Personal Experiences Upon Perception Activity 2 Look around your office, workspace, classroom, academic institution, or any other location where you spend the majority of your day. Note the pictures, hanging decorations, color schemes, style of furniture, etc. that surround you. Then answer the following questions on the WebBoard: 1.) Do such items revel aspects of the owner's or institution's "personality." 2.) What sort of feeling do the surroundings visually communicate to you? 3.) Do you feel the surroundings effect you mood and attitude in a positive or negative way? Explain. 4.) Would others arrive at the same conclusion(s)?
	Key Links The Joy of Visual Perception: A Web Book http://www.yorku.ca/research/vision/eye/ This "web book" provides a physiological explanation of vision and perception. The "Fun Things in Vision" chapter includes interesting illusions. Visual Perception Notes http://www.aber.ac.uk/~ednwww/Undgrad/ED10510/visindex.html This site covers notes from Introduction to Media Theory (ED10510) at University of Texas at Austin. Aspects of visual literacy, models of communication; and cultural factors are some of the topics covered in this course. How Your Eyes Rotate in Three Dimensions http://www.physiology.uwo.ca/VRMLListingWeb/ Through animation, this site lets you view and manipulate the three dimensional movements of eyes. With your mouse you can view eyes from the inside, outside, behind, or above. The physiological principles of eye movements are explained. IllusionWorks The IllusionWorks site is a collection of optical and sensory illusions, including interactive demonstrations and puzzles, artwork, and 3D graphics. Scientific explanations of the illusions are provided at both introductory and advanced levels. SandlotScience.com Optical Illusions This site provides a multitude of optical illusions in various categories such as "impossible objects," "color and contrast," and "after-effects." This is a fun and interactive site, don't miss the "breathing objects" illusion in the distortion section.
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