Principles of perceptual organization and spatial distortion: the gestalt illusions

Stanley Coren; Joan S Girgus

doi:10.1037//0096-1523.6.3.404

Principles of perceptual organization and spatial distortion: the gestalt illusions

J Exp Psychol Hum Percept Perform. 1980 Aug;6(3):404-412. doi: 10.1037//0096-1523.6.3.404.

Authors

Stanley Coren¹, Joan S Girgus

Affiliation

¹ U British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.

PMID: 6447756
DOI: 10.1037//0096-1523.6.3.404

Abstract

In five interleaved experiments, conducted with 94 observers, it is shown that organization of the visual field according to gestalt principles results in measurable spatial distortions. Using the principles of proximity, similarity, good continuation, and two types of closure, it was found that interior distances (within a perceptual unit or group) are underestimated relative to exterior distances. The relationship between these spatial distortions and the resultant perceptual organization are discussed.

Publication types

Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Distance Perception
Gestalt Theory*
Humans
Illusions*
Optical Illusions*
Perceptual Closure
Perceptual Distortion*
Psychological Theory*
Space Perception*