Understanding Psychology

Chapter 8: Sensation and Perception

Student Web Activites

"All In Perspective"

Introduction
Using plaster and paint, Michelangelo transformed the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel into one of the most breathtaking and moving two-dimensional paintings of all time. When we look at Michelangelo's work our eyes and brain work together to interpret the colors and shapes into meaningful experiences. Our brains use the principles of perceptual organization and depth cues to make sense of stimuli. Artists try to follow these principles and replicate and distort depth cues so that they can reproduce what they see, stimulate the senses, or trick the viewer. These Web sites show how artists use organizational principles to influence their audience's perceptions and other sensations and perceptions.

Web sites
Tutorials in Sensation and Perception
Review some of the ways artists can create particular experiences through visual information.

Encyclopedia of Psychology
Click through these sensation and perception links to discover different ways we use these environmental behaviors.

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Activity
Throughout these Web sites, you have seen many examples of how artists use depth cues and organizational principles to represent three-dimensional objects. On a separate piece of paper, make a simple line drawing of a landscape. At the bottom of the page, list the principles and depth cues that you used to make your sketch.

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