Final Paper Due Dec. 17 2018 — Normal length
To satisfy the assignment of this final paper, you will need to study two papers and two demonstrations carefully. The two papers are:
- The Gibson 1978 paper on pictures linked to the October 23 class
- The Gibson chapter on film linked to the November 29 class.
The two demonstrations are:
- The Magritte PowerPoint from class on October 25 and October 30. This PowerPoint is on Moodle called “Occlusion and window over Magritte.”
The PowerPoint illustrates 2 different ways that I chose to transform the Magritte picture. The beginning frames are identical, so you cannot tell what is illustrated except by going through each sequence. The sequence should clarify what each case “is.”
2. The .mov file that is linked to the December 4 class and labeled “Perceptual motion phenomenon.” [Windows users consult me for alternatives if this won’t work for you]
Your Assignment:
Parts A and B are to make sure you are tied down to specific examples. Part C is the main part where you show your thinking in your writing.
A. Give some examples of what Gibson would call invariants in each of the 3 moving sequences (toggle through the PowerPoint slides to make the Magritte’s a little bit like a movie). The 3 sequences are the two Magritte’s and one point-light baseball pitcher.
B. There are about 56 frames in the video of the baseball pitcher. Pick out the one frame that you think best shows the pitcher pitching. Many frames, alone, would look like a bit of nonsense. What would Gibson say about this frame as a picture with respect to invariants?
C. Now discuss what it means for change to reveal invariants. That is, to make what is invariant more clear.
Ecological Psychology and Homeokinetics 