An experimental study of the effect of language on the reproduction of visually perceived form.

Abstract

The experiments reported in this paper are part of a study of the conditions which affect the reproduction of visually perceived form. Previous investigators such as G. E. Muller, F. Wulf, and J. J. Gibson 8 have pointed out various factors which are important in bringing about the changes that occur in reproduced forms when they are compared with the forms as originally presented. In the present study an effort has been made to control by experimental means the nature of the change in form. The directive agency used was language, or, more precisely, those processes of the organism that are initiated by language. Historically, Muller treats of the changes that take place after the passage of time in the reproduction of perceived forms in terms which include such concepts as 'convergence' or 'blurring' of the characteristic features of patterns. F. Wulf criticizes this view and proposes, on the basis of experimental study, to describe the observed changes in terms of such specific tendencies as 'sharpening,' 'levelling' and what may be termed the 'equilibrium tendency' in the structure. He remarks, however, that in some instances his subjects spontaneously identified the presented forms with 1 Muller, G. E., Zur Analyse der GedachtnistStigkeit und dee Vorstellungsverlaufes, III. Teil, Zeitsckriftfur Psyehologie, Erganzungsband, 1913, 8, 1-567. 1 Wulf, F., tJber die Veranderung von Vorstellungen (Gedachtnis und Gestalt) (Beitrage zur Psyehologie der Gestalt), Psychologische Forsckung, 1921, x, 333-373. * Gibson, J. J., The reproduction of visually perceived forms, / . Exper. Psychol.,