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Single Idea 4047

[from 'Phil Applications of Cognitive Science' by Alvin I. Goldman, in 12. Knowledge Sources / D. Empiricism / 2. Associationism ]

Full Idea

Gestalt psychology claims that there are at least four unlearned factors in perceptual grouping - the principles of proximity (close things), of similarity, of good continuation (extending lines in a smooth course), and closure (which completes figures).

Clarification

Gestalt psychology concerns our perception of things as unities rather than as parts

Gist of Idea

Gestalt psychology proposes inbuilt proximity, similarity, smoothness and closure principles

Source

Alvin I. Goldman (Phil Applications of Cognitive Science [1993], p.103)

Book Reference

Goldman,Alvin I.: 'Philosophical Applications of Cognitive Science' [Westview 1993], p.103


A Reaction

This offers a bridge between Hume's associationism and rationalist claims of innate ideas