Viewing mode of visual perception
Basically, the process of “seeing” can be viewed and described from different angles. The view described above is from a neurobiological perspective. Another interesting point of view is the psychological view.
This divides the process of seeing into 4 stages. The first stage (physical-chemical stage) and the second stage (physical stage) describe more or less similarly the visual perception in a neurobiological context. The physical-chemical level refers more to the individual processes and reactions that take place in a cell and the physical level summarizes these events in their entirety and considers the course, interaction and result of all individual processes.
The third (mental level) tries to describe the perceptual event. This is not very easy, because the visual experience can neither be grasped energetically nor spatially. In other words, the brain “invents” a new idea.
An idea based on the visually perceived, which only exists in the consciousness of the person who has visually experienced. To date, it has not been possible to explain such perceptual experiences with purely physical processes, such as electrical brain waves. From a neurobiological point of view, however, it can be assumed that a large part of the perceptual experience takes place in the primary visual cortex.
Cognitive processing of perception then takes place on the fourth level. The simplest form of this is cognition. This is an important difference to perception, because this is where a first assignment takes place.
The processing of what is perceived at this stage is illustrated by an example: assume that a person is looking at a picture. Now that the image has become conscious, cognitive processing begins. The cognitive processing can be divided into three steps.
First, a global evaluation takes place. The image is analyzed and objects are categorized (e.g. 2 persons in the foreground, one field in the background). This first creates an overall impression.
At the same time, this is also a learning process. Because through the visual experience, experiences are gathered and the things seen are assigned priorities, which are based on corresponding criteria (e.g. importance, relevance to problem solving, etc.). With a new, similar visual perception, this information can then be accessed and processing can proceed much faster.
Then it goes on to the detailed evaluation. After a renewed and more precise observation and scanning of the objects in the picture, the person goes on to analyze the prominent objects (e.g. recognizing the persons (couples), action (holding each other in the arm)). The last step is the elaborate analysis.A so-called mental model is developed, similar to an idea, into which information from other areas of the brain is now also incorporated, for example memories of the persons recognized in the image.
Since there are many other systems besides the visual perception system that have an influence on such a mental model, the evaluation must be considered as very individual. Each person will evaluate the image in a different way based on their experiences and learning processes, and will accordingly concentrate on certain details and hide others. An interesting aspect in this context is modern art: Imagine a simple white picture with only a red spot of color.
You can assume that the color blob is the only detail that will attract the attention of all viewers, regardless of experience or learning processes. The interpretation, on the other hand, is left to free rein. And even when it comes to the question whether this is higher art, there is certainly no general answer that would apply to all viewers.
