Tolman and the tradition of direct perception

Good, Jim; Still, Arthur

Abstract

During the early part of Tolman's career, he struggled to develop a language of molar behaviourism, which incorporated at a descriptive level the purposiveness he observed in his rats. Drawing upon Gestalt psychology he developed a set of terms to describe the organism in its environment. This work places him at the start of a tradition of direct perception, which has included Heider, Asch, and J. J. Gibson. The point light display of Johansson has recently been used to explore the information underlying perception of intentionality, and can be seen, retrospectively, to validate Tolman's non-mentalistic account of purposiveness.

Citation

Good, J., & Still, A. (1986). Tolman and the tradition of direct perception. British Journal of Psychology, 77(4), 533-539. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-8295.1986.tb02218.x

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 30, 1986
• Online Publication Date: Apr 13, 2011
• Publication Date: 1986-11
• Deposit Date: Oct 18, 2024
• Journal: British Journal of Psychology
• Print ISSN: 0007-1269
• Electronic ISSN: 2044-8295
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 77
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 533-539
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-8295.1986.tb02218.x
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2972030