Ecological psychology is the scientific study of the relationship between perception and action, grounded in a direct-realist approach to perception. Influenced by the writings of Roger Barker and James J. Gibson, it stands in contrast to the explanations of perception offered by mainstream cognitive psychology, and it is primarily concerned with the interconnectedness of perception, action and dynamical systems. A key principle of the field is its rejection of the traditional separation of perception from action, emphasizing instead that the two are inseparable and interdependent.
Facts
Central QuestionWhether perception and action form a single, inseparable system grounded directly in an organism's relationship to its environment, rather than separate internal cognitive processes. 1 Key DebateWhether perception is best explained by ecological psychology's direct, information-based account grounded in the organism's environment, or by the mainstream cognitive psychology account that ecological psychology positions itself against. 1 Connections
Associated With
Her Visual Cliff studies of perception and affordances are foundational to ecological psychology.
Closely overlapping subfields studying how physical and natural settings shape behavior and perception.
Includes
Source James J. Gibson (Wikipedia)
Related Branch
Source Wikipedia: Ecological psychology
Related Branches
Source Wikipedia: Community psychology
Source Wikipedia: Environmental psychology
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Ecological psychology
Wikimedia FoundationLead section, opening sentence
Ecological psychology is the scientific study of the relationship between perception and action, grounded in a direct realist approach.
Lead section, second sentence
This school of thought is heavily influenced by the writings of Roger Barker and James J. Gibson and stands in contrast to the mainstream explanations of perception offered by cognitive psychology.
Related Branch: Cognitive Psychology, Article text
This school of thought is heavily influenced by the writings of Roger Barker and James J. Gibson and stands in contrast to the mainstream explanations of perception offered by cognitive psychology.
View the Source Wikipedia: Community psychology
WikipediaRelated Branches: Community Psychology, Article textQuote, Related Branches: Community Psychology, Article text
Closely related disciplines include community practice, ecological psychology, environmental psychology, critical psychology, cross-cultural psychology, social psychology, political science, public health, sociology, social work, applied anthropology, and community development.
Wikipedia: Environmental psychology
Wikimedia FoundationRelated Branches: Environmental Psychology, Article textQuote, Related Branches: Environmental Psychology, Article text
Although "environmental psychology" is arguably the best-known and most comprehensive description of the field, it is also known as human factors science, cognitive ergonomics, ecological psychology, ecopsychology, environment-behavior studies, and person-environment studies.
James J. Gibson (Wikipedia)
Includes: James J. Gibson, LeadQuote, Includes: James J. Gibson, Lead
promoted ecological psychology
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