Tom is watching Terri walk across the room. According to Gibson, Tom perceives Terri
A) to be moving because her image is moving across his retina.
B) to be stationary because the background is stationary.
C) to be moving because of a local disturbance in the optic array.
D) to be moving because the background texture is moving across his retina.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to Gibson's ecological theory of perception, visual perception is not just the processing of a static image on the retina, but rather the perception of a dynamic, spatially organized set of information that is available in the optic array. Perception is shaped by the overall organization of this array, including the patterns of light, color, and texture, and is not just a matter of processing individual features or elements. In the case of Tom watching Terri walk across the room, Gibson would argue that Tom perceives Terri to be moving because her motion causes a local disturbance in the optic array, creating changes in the pattern of light and texture that are different from those created by a stationary object or background. Therefore, choice C is the best answer.

Tom Is Watching Terri Walk Across the Room