An Investigation of Some Perceptual Tasks Performed by Exogenous and Normal Children
Abstract
This study was concerned with an investigation of certain perceptual tasks among children at two training schools for cerebrally injured children and at a county public school. The study was designed to demonstrate a fundamental inability to synthesize wholes from parts or part information when the effects of psychometric intelligence are eliminated. Figure- ground difficulties were investigated as an attendant phenomenon.Nineteen children with various classifications of brain injury were selected from a larger group on the basis of higher intelligence and were compared with nineteen control subjects who were matched for age.Age and IQ score were recorded for each subject. A battery of five tests derived from a theoretical model was hypothesized to test the ability to perceive figure-ground relationships which is believed to depend upon the ability to synthesize or perceive wholes from a proper meaningful perceptual organization of their parts. The Form Emergence Test, a Pegboard Test, the Light Gestalt Test, Embedded Designs Test and Dotted Outlines Test were presented to all subjects in the same order.Statistical analysis relying primarily on t tests, analysis of variance and analysis of covariance tests indicated that in each test the exogenous children as a group were less accurate. This is explained in terms of ability to synthesize wholes by a proper meaningful organization of their parts.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
Psychology
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