University of Central Florida (UCF) PSY4604 History and Systems of Psychology Practice Exam 2

James J. Gibson is recognized for his work on ecological psychology and his concept of the ambient optic array, which plays a crucial role in understanding visual perception. He proposed that the way we perceive our environment is grounded in the structured patterns of light that are available to us, rather than solely relying on the discrete images formed on the retina. The ambient optic array refers to the collection of light rays that reflect off surfaces and create a spatial layout of the environment, providing essential information about the arrangement and properties of objects in relation to the observer.

Gibson's theory emphasizes that perception is an active process based on interaction with the environment, suggesting that we are not simply passive receivers of visual information but instead engage with our surroundings in a meaningful way. This perspective shifts the focus from retinal images to the contextual and relational aspects of visual stimuli found in the ambient optic array, which includes factors like texture gradients, motion parallax, and the overall layout of surfaces.

Understanding this concept is foundational for exploring how visual perception operates in real-world settings and the various ecological cues available to organisms as they navigate their environments.