Foundations of Perceptual Theory (Volume 99) (Advances in Psychology, Volume 99)

Historical analysis reveals that perceptual theories and models are doomed to relatively short lives. The most popular contemporary theories in perceptual science do not have as wide an acceptance among researchers as do some of those in other sciences. To understand these difficulties, the authors of the present volume explore the conceptual and philosophical foundations of perceptual science. Based on logical analyses of various problems, theories, and models, they offer a number of reasons for the current weakness of perceptual explanations. New theoretical approaches are also proposed. At the end of each chapter, dicussants contribute to the conclusions by critically examining the authors' ideas and analyses. Content: Editors Page ii Edited by Page iii Copyright page Page iv Preface Pages v-vi S.C. Masin List of the Authors Page ix List of the Discussants Page x Toward A new Behaviorism Original Research Article Pages 3-42 William R. Uttal Some Philosophical Observations on Perceptual Science Original Research Article Pages 43-73 Sergio C. Masin A Hierarchical Approach to Perception Original Research Article Pages 75-111 Dennis R. Proffitt The Analysis of Perceived Space Original Research Article Pages 113-182 Walter C. Gogel On Some Paradoxes of Current Perceptual Theories Original Research Article Pages 183-196 Paolo Bozzi On Experimental Phenomenology Original Research Article Pages 197-219 Giovanni B. Vicario The “Inside-Outside Problem” and Wolfgang Köhler Original Research Article Pages 221-229 Nicholas Pastore Perceptual Artifacts and Phenomena: Gibson's Role in the 20th Century Original Research Article Pages 231-260 James E. Cutting The Role of Computational Complexity in Perceptual Theory Original Research Article Pages 261-296 John K. Tsotsos On the Need for A General Quantitative Theory of Pattern Similarity Original Research Article Pages 297-368 James T. Townsend, Robin D. Thomas Perceptual Variability as A Fundamental Axiom of Perceptual Science Original Research Article Pages 369-399 F. Gregory Ashby, W. William Lee Author Index Pages 401-409 Subject Index Pages 411-424 Historical analysis reveals that perceptual theories and models are doomed to relatively short lives. This volume explores the conceptual and philosophical foundations of perceptual science. Based on logical analyses of various problems, theories, and models, it offers a number of reasons for the weakness of perceptual explanations.