Citation

Kappas A, Olk B. Vis. Stud. 2008; 23(2): 162.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, International Visual Sociology Association, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/14725860802276313

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Visual competence in its most basic form relates to fundamental processes of visual perception. The analysis of neuropsychological impairments and recent advances in the brain sciences have led to considerable changes in how vision is understood in recent years. In this sense, vision is a mix of general and specific processes (e.g. face perception, motion perception). It is influenced by personal experience and thus cultural influences within the given biological constraints. Furthermore, there is evidence for an early interaction of vision with other perceptual modalities, particularly sound. The recent discovery of a neural 'mirror system' suggests a strong coupling between perception and action. Visual exploration is driven by volitional and automatic processes. The authors argue that applied concepts of visual competence are likely to benefit from considering basic research in the psychological and brain sciences.

Language: en