gestalt: when the surroundings of an object fool our perception.
So, it's not just the object itself, but the pattern around it, both visual and conceptual.
To the left is probably one of the most famous images of a gestalt. Take a closer look at it, what do you see? You should see two images. *You can view what it is at the end of the post.
similarity: associating new things with already experienced things and grouping objects because of closeness in size, shape, or other prominent geometrical characteristics.For example, at first look at the image to the right, we group the larger circles together. Instead of seeing the small circles and a large one vertically, we just clump the horizontal line of large circles.
For this image to the left, our initial glance categorizes the dots in horizontal lines, even though all the dots are equidistant.
We all know our perception is not always correct. A way proximity proves this is by looking at the image below. Which dot in the center is larger in size?
Our automatic response will want to say the dot in center on the left is larger. In fact, both centered dots are the same size. The proximity of the centered dot on the left to the smaller dots around it make it seem like it is bigger, whilst the centered dot on the right looks smaller due to the larger dots encompassing it.
closure: when your brain refrains from taking in new ideas and settles on one thing
A great movie that practices the use of different gestalts is Sling Blade. We watched it in my high school psych class and were assigned to find the different concepts of perception being used. Once you watch the movie this will make more sense. Closure happens when people automatically assume Karl is mentally deficient. Because of his poor social skills and symptoms of retardation, our brain automatically marks him as handicapped. Everything he does is perceived as something someone mentally ill would do. The similarity between him and Lenny from Of Mice and Men (someone who is actually mentally ill) makes it easier for the brain to close on him being handicap. There is plenty of more play with gestalt in the movie.
*The image is both of an old lady's face and a young lady turning her face to the right.
closure: when your brain refrains from taking in new ideas and settles on one thing
A great movie that practices the use of different gestalts is Sling Blade. We watched it in my high school psych class and were assigned to find the different concepts of perception being used. Once you watch the movie this will make more sense. Closure happens when people automatically assume Karl is mentally deficient. Because of his poor social skills and symptoms of retardation, our brain automatically marks him as handicapped. Everything he does is perceived as something someone mentally ill would do. The similarity between him and Lenny from Of Mice and Men (someone who is actually mentally ill) makes it easier for the brain to close on him being handicap. There is plenty of more play with gestalt in the movie.
*The image is both of an old lady's face and a young lady turning her face to the right.
