Indirect PerceptionIrvin Rock introduction by Stephen Palmer Irvin Rock was a global perceptual theorist in thegrand tradition of von Helmoltz, Wertheimer, and Gibson. This posthumous volume, the culmination ofa long and distinguished career, brings together an original essay by the author together with acareful selection of previously published articles (most by Rock) on the theory that perception isan indirect process in which visual experience is derived by inference, rather than being directlyand independently determined by retinal stimulation.Rock's reasons for holding that perception isindirect were mainly empirical. Unlike many theorists, he paid close attention to a broad range ofexperimental evidence in evaluating theoretical claims. His approach, in which theory and experimentgo hand in hand, is well represented in this book.In the first chapter, which is new, Rock lays outthe theoretical issues underlying indirect perception. The remaining twenty-two chapters presentdetailed evidence in support of the indirect view. They are divided into sections covering indirectperception, organization, shape, motion, illusions, lightness, and final considerations. Eachsection is introduced by the author. Stephen Palmer's introduction to the book places Rock's workwithin the context of the history of perceptual theory -- approaches formulated by Helmholtz(inferential), by the Gestaltist psychologists (organizational), and by Gibson(ecological).Cognitive Psychology series |
Contents
Introduction 79 | 3 |
Chapter | 12 |
Introduction | 33 |
Grouping and Lightness | 47 |
Chapter 5 | 63 |
Shape and the Retinal Image | 85 |
Chapter 7 | 100 |
Chapter 8 | 122 |
Introduction | 203 |
Chapter 15 | 230 |
Apparent Motion Based on Phenomenal Location | 249 |
Apparent Motion Based on Changing Phoria | 265 |
Chapter 18 | 291 |
Introduction | 313 |
Chapter 21 | 335 |
Introduction | 349 |