perceptual organization

the process by which the elements of visual and other sensory information are structured into a coherent whole. According to traditional Gestalt psychology, the parts of a group are organized to form whole figures that constitute more than the parts separately (see gestalt principles of organization). Later research more precisely defined the properties that enable such organized tasks. Artists have traditionally used the principles of perceptual organization to create desired moods or feelings and to challenge viewers’ expectations.

Browse dictionary by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Psychology term of the day

October 18th 2024

sensory interaction

the integration of sensory processes when performing a task, as in maintaining balance using sensory input from both vision and proprioception. See also cross-modal association; intersensory perception; perceptual synthesis.