The gestalt principles of perception – how do they explain how we not only sometimes perceive strange things, but also how we can appreciate works of art? In this episode I take a close look at why people see a lot of strange things around them – including me. We’ll see images on lemon slices, on Mars, and on building tops. Why do we perceive these things?
Resources for this Podcast
- Perceptual Set Experiment: go here to do the “Man on a horse” experiment I created. You can run this experiment on your friends, or even use it for a project in class. Have fun with it and let me know if you’ve got any feedback/suggestions. NOTE: The control condition is the “condition 1″ button (random pictures which are unrelated to the man on the horse). The experimental condition is the “condition 2″ button (pictures of animals which should help the viewer more easily see the man on the horse).
- You can learn how psychological gestalt principles apply to web design at the Web Design for Instruction site
- And more about psychological gestalt principles from the Spokane Falls Community College Graphic Design website.
- Here’s the NASA site where you’ll find the “Face On Mars” pictures.
- Here’s a good site which describes the gestalt principles. It’s from the Interaction Design website.
Here are a few sites which further explain some of the Gestalt principles of organization:
Here is a slideshow of some of the images used in this episode. Roll over the bottom of the box below to see thumbnails of all the images which you can click on to examine any of the photos in more detail.
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
this is awesome, thanks
No problem. Glad you liked it. This was a fun episode to make.
Michael
Hey I think ur website is great but I think it needs a little proof of credibility, I can see you really know a lot about the subject but i think it would give it more prestige if you could add your name and your study level.
Paula,
Check the “About Michael” link under the “Pages” box at the top left. I put a brief bio there as well as a vita that lists my degrees, occupations, etc. You’ll see that I have a Ph.D. in psychology and I taught psych for 10 years at Marist College. I currently work in the area of instructional design at Pearson Education.
Michael
I would like to get lemon slice and gestalt principles video. How can I get and use this in my class to show my students. It does not look like the cd you advertise has this specific thing on CD.
I have an Ipod if that makes a difference at all. Would like to play them this video in class on a laptop onto a whiteboard.
Thanks for your interest in the video. If you send me an email (see “About Michael”) with your address I’ll see if I can put the video on a CD and send it to you.
Michael
hey
!
Thanks!!! I’ll be using your experiment in class on Monday. Will let u know the results:)!
The videos are great too:)!
Fauzia,
You’re going to use the Man on a Horse experiment? Very cool. Yes – let me know how it goes.
Michael
I think they where some great ideas that you came up with i will be using one of them myself
Thanks Latoya! Michael