Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Emergence of Prägnanz: Gaetano Kanizsa's Legacies

  • Published:
Axiomathes Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper is devoted to stress the importance of the contribution of Gaetano Kanizsato contemporary psychology. His theoretical ideas have in many respects been truly seminal. In particular, are emphasized his distinction between the primary and secondary process, his criticism of the concept ofPrägnanz, and his focus on self-organisation in a dynamic approach. To continue his work, the main task is to identify the rules and constraints that enable us to see the world as it appears. In the last years of his scientific work, his insight was that the non-linear dynamic approach may be the best way to achieve this goal, giving a more sound sense to the intuitions of Gestalt psychologie.Unfortunately, he died before he could reap the fruits of this insight. Here are reviewed the first results that some among his direct and indirect pupils have obtained in this direction.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Arnheim, R.: 1987, 'Prägnanz and its Discontents', Gestalt Theory 9, 102–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benussi, V.: 1914, 'Gesetze der inadequäte Gestaltauffassung', Archiv für die gesamte Psychologie 32, 386–419.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bozzi, P.: 1980, 'Presentazione', in G. Kanizsa (ed.), Grammatica del vedere, Bologna: Il Mulino.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bregman, A.S.: 1990, Auditory Scene Analysis: The Perceptual Organization of Sound, Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruno, N. and W. Gerbino: 1991, 'Illusory Figures Based on Local Kinematics', Perception 20, 259–274.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruno, N.: 2001, 'Breathing Illusions and Boundary Formation in Space-Time', in T. Shipley and Ph. Kellmann (eds.), From Fragment to Objects. Segmentation and Grouping in Vision, Amsterdam: Elsevier Advances in Psychology Series, pp. 402–427.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chiorri, C.: 2002, Metodologia per la ricerca sinergetica in psicologia, Firenze: CUSL.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cutting, J.E. and D.R. Proffitt: 1982, 'The Minimum Principle and the Perception of Absolute, Common, and Relative Motion', Psychology 14, 211–246.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fodor, J.A.: 1983, The Modularity of Mind. An Essay on Faculty Psychology, Cambridge MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gerbino, W. and R. Luccio: 1995, 'Gaetano Kanizsa-Things and Perception, Review of Psychology 2, 71–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gregory, R.L.: 1972, 'Cognitive Contours', Nature 238, 51–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haken, H.: 1990, 'Synergetics as a Tool for the Conceptualisation and Mathematisation of Cognition and Behaviour-How Far Can We Go?', in H. Haken and M. Stadler (eds.), Synergetics of Cognition, Berlin: Springer, pp. 2–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hatfield, G.J. and W. Epstein: 1985, 'The status of minimum principle in the theoretical analysis of perception', Psychological Bulletin 97, 155–176.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Helmholtz, H., von: 1867, Handbuch der Physiologischen Optik, Leipzig: Voss.

    Google Scholar 

  • Höffding, H.: 1887, Psychologie in Umrissen auf Grundlage der Erfahrung, Leipzig: Fus's Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G.: 1938, 'Contributo allo studio della distribuzione quantitativa dei fenomeni eidetici', Atti del reale Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti 47(II), 285–302.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G.: 1951a, 'Fenomeni percettivi con stimolazione intermittente della retina', Archivio di Psicologia, Neurologia e Psichiatria 12, 549–555.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G.: 1951b, 'Sulla polarizzazione del movimento gamma', Archivio di Psicologia, Neurologia e Psichiatria 22, 224–267.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G.: 1952, 'Legittimità di una analisi del processo percettivo fondata su una distinzione in “fasi” o “stadi”', Archivio di Psicologia, Neurologia e Psichiatria 13, 292–322.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G.: 1954a, 'Il gradiente marginale come fattore dell'aspetto fenomenico dei colori', Archivio di Psicologia, Neurologia e Psichiatria 15, 251–264.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G.: 1954b, 'Alcune osservazioni sull'effetto Musatti', Archivio di Psicologia, Neurologia e Psichiatria 15, 265–271.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G.: 1954c, 'Linee virtuali e margini fenomenici in assenza di discontinuità di stimolazione', in V. Lazzeroni (a cura di), Atti 10. Convegno degli psicologi italiani, Firenze: Editrice Universitaria.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G.: 1955a, 'Margini quasi-percettivi in campi con stimolazione omogenea', Rivista di psicologia 49(1), 7–30. [English translation (1987): Quasi-Perceptual Margins in Homogeneously Stimulated Fields. (With a 1986 addendum.) In G.E. Meyer and S. Petry (eds.), The Perception of Illusory Contours, New York: Springer, pp. 40–49].

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G.: 1955b, 'Condizioni ed effetti della trasparenza fenomenica', Rivista di psicologia 49 (3), 3–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G.: 1957, 'Gradient marginal et perception chromatique', in I. Meyerson (ed.), Problèmes de la couleur, Paris: SEVPEN, pp. 107–114.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G.: 1960, 'Randform und Erscheinungsweise von Oberflächen', Psyschologische Beiträge 5, 93–101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G.: 1961, 'Cosa si intende per percezione', Atti 13. Convegno degli psicologi italiani, Firenze: Giunti, pp. 23–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G.: 1966, 'Die Erscheinungsweisen der Farben', in W. Metzger (Hgb.), Handbuch der Psychologie. Allgemeine Psychologie, Vol. 1: Wahrnehmung und Bewußtsein, Göttingen: Hogrefe, pp. 161–191.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G.: 1968, 'Erfahrung und Wahrnehmung', Studia psychologica 10, 174–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G.: 1969, 'Perception, Past Experience and the Impossible Experiment', Acta Psychologica 31, 66–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G.: 1970a, 'Amodale Ergänzungen und Erwartungsfehler des Gestaltpsychologen', Psychologische Forschung 33, 325–344.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G.: 1970b', 'Di alcuni luoghi comuni sulla psicologia della gestalt', Rivista di Psicologia 64, 187–202.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G.: 1972, 'Schrumpfung von visuellen Feldern bei amodaler Ergänzung', Studia psychologica 14(13), 208–210.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G.: 1975b, 'The Role of Regularity in Perceptual Organization', in G. Flores d'Arcais (ed.), Studies in Perception, Florence, Martello-Giunti, pp. 48–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G.: 1975c, 'Amodal Completion and Phenomenal Shrinkage of Surfaces in the Visual Field', Italian Journal of Psychology 2, 187–195.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G.: 1975d, 'Some New Demonstrations of the Role of Structural Factors in Brightness Contrast', In S. Ertel, L. Kemmler and M. Stadler (eds.), Gestalttheorie in der modernen Psychologie, Darmstadt: Steinkopff, pp. 219–226.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G.: 1976, 'Subjective contours', Scientific American, 234(4), 48–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G.: 1979, Organization in Vision, New York, Praeger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G.: 1982, 'E' mascherato solo ciò che può essere smascherato', in Sul mascheramento visivo, Report No. 57, Università di Padova, Istituto di Psicologia, pp. 23–65.

  • Kanizsa, G.: 1985, 'Seeing and Thinking', Acta Psychologica 59, 23–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G.: 1988b, 'Idee guida della gestalt nello studio della percezione', in N. Caramelli e G. Kanizsa (a cura di), L'eredità della psicologia della gestalt, Bologna: il Mulino, pp. 11–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G.: 1991, Vedere e pensare, Bologna: il Mulino.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G.: 1995, 'Gestalt Theory has been Misinterpreted, but Also has had Some Real Conceptual Difficulties', Philosophical Psychology.

  • Kanizsa, G. and W. Gerbino: 1976, 'Convexity and Symmetry in Figure-Ground Organization', in M. Henle (ed.), Vision and Artifact, New York: Springer, pp. 25–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G. and W. Gerbino: 1982, 'Amodal Completion: Seeing or Thinking?' in J. Beck (ed.), Organization and Representation in Perception, Hillsdale, NJ: LEA, pp. 167–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G. and W. Gerbino: 1987, 'Can We See Constructs?', in G.E. Meyer and S. Petry (eds.), The Perception of Illusory Contours, New York: Springer, pp. 246–252.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa G., P. Kruse, R. Luccio, and M. Stadler: 1994, 'Conditions of Visibility of Actual Paths', Japanese Psychological Research 36, 113–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G. and R. Luccio: 1978, 'Espansione fenomenica di superfici in condizioni di completamento amodale', Reports of the Institute of Psychology, Trieste.

  • Kanizsa, G. and R. Luccio: 1981a, 'Stima del numero e impressione di numerosità. Due processi di natura diversa', Reports of the Institute of Psychology, Trieste.

  • Kanizsa, G. and R. Luccio: 1981b, 'L'incompletezza figurale come fattore di sottostima della numerosità', Reports of the Institute of Psychology, Trieste.

  • Kanizsa, G. and R. Luccio: 1985, 'La pregnanza e le sue ambiguità', Psicologia Italiana 1, 11–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G. and R. Luccio: 1986, 'Die Doppeldeutigkeiten der Prägnanz', Gestalt Theory 8, 99–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G. and R. Luccio: 1987, 'Formation and Categorization of Visual Objects: Höffding's Never Confuted Bus Always Forgotten Argument', Gestalt Theory 9, 111–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G. and R. Luccio: 1990, 'The Phenomenology of Autonomous Order Formation in Perception', in H. Haken and M. Stadler (eds.), Synergetics of Cognition, Berlin: Springer, pp. 186–200.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G. and R. Luccio: 1993', 'Visual Cognition', La Nuova Critica 21, 3–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G. and R. Luccio: 1995, 'Multistability as a Research Tool in Experimental Phenomenology', in M. Stadler and P. Kruse (eds.), Ambiguity in Mind and Nature, Berlin: Springer, pp. 47–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G. and M. Massironi: 1989, 'Presenza amodale e integrazione mentale nella rappresentazione pittorica', in A. Garau (a cura di), Pensiero e visione in Rudolph Arnheim, Milano: F. Angeli, pp. 134–162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G. and L. Meschieri: 1950a, 'Di alcuni problemi della percezione tachistoscopica', Contributi del Centro sperimentale della Commissione Permanente per le Applicazioni della Psicologia, del CNR (1939–1946), Roma: CNR, pp. 3–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G. and F. Metelli: 1956, 'Connessioni di tipo causale tra eventi percettivi: L'effetto attrazione e l'effetto lancio inverso', Atti Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti 68.

  • Kanizsa, G. and F. Metelli: 1961, 'Recherches expérimentales sur la perception visuelle d'attraction', Journal de Psychologie Normale et Pathologique 58, 385–420.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G. and G.F. Minguzzi: 1984a, 'Contrasto e assimilazione di chiarezza', in G. Kanizsa (a cura di), Fenomenologia sperimentale della visione, Milano: Franco Angeli [Ricerche di Psicologia], pp. 73–96.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G. and G.F. Minguzzi: 1984b, 'Sulla differenziazione anomal del contrasto di chiarezza', in G. Kanizsa (a cura di), Fenomenologia sperimentale della visione, Milano: Franco Angeli [Ricerche di Psicologia], pp. 181–186.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G., P. Renzi, S. Conte, C. Compostela, and L. Guerani: 1993', 'Amodal Completion in Mouse Vision', Perception 22, 713–721.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G. and G. Tampieri: 1968, 'Nuove osservazione sull'orientamento retinico ed ambientale', in G. Kanizsa e G. Vicario (a cura di), Ricerche sperimentali sulla percezione, Trieste: Edizioni Università degli Studi, pp. 49–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G. and G. Tampieri: 1976, 'Environmental and Retinal Frames of Reference in Visual Perception', Italian Journal of Psychology 2, 317–332.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanizsa, G. and Vicario, G.: 1967, 'Caratteri espressivi ed intenzionali dei movimenti: La percezione della “reazione”', Rivista di Psicologia 61, 319–321.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koffka, K.: 1935, Principles of Gestalt Psychology, New York, NY: Harcourt.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kruse, P.: 1986, 'Wie unabhänging ist dasWahrnehmungsobject von Prozeß der Identifikation?', Gestalt Theory 8, 141–143.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leonardi, G.: 1997, Sistemi dinamici non-lineari in psicologia, Tesi di Dottorato non pubblicata-8° Ciclo-Università di Trieste.

  • Leonardi, G. and R. Luccio: 1999, 'La Prägnanz comme attracteur', in M. Zanforlin and L. Tommasi (eds.), The Problem of Perception, Padova: Logos, pp. 69–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luccio, R.: 1996, Tecniche di ricerca e analisi dei dati in psicologia, Bologna: il Mulino.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luccio, R. and D. Milloni: in press, 'The Perception of Causality: A Dynamic Analysis', in R. Peruzzi (ed.), Psychology of Causality, London: Benjamin.

  • Meinong, A.: 1899, 'Ñber Gegenstände höhrer Ordnung und deren Verhältniss zur inneren Wahrnehmung', Zeitschrift für Psychologie und Physiologie des Sinnesorgane 21, 182–272.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meinong, A.: 1904, Untersuchungen zur Gegenstandstheorie und Psychologie, Leipzig: Barth.

    Google Scholar 

  • Metelli, F.: 1974, 'The Perception of Transparency', Scientific American 230, 90–98.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, G.E. and S. Petry: 1995, 'Top-Down and Bottom-Up: The Illusory Contour as a Microcosm of Issues in Perception', in G.E. Meyer and S. Petry (eds.), The Perception of Illusory Contours, New York: Springer, pp. 3–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Musatti, C.L.: 1971, 'Prefazione', in M. Cesa-Bianchi, A. Beretta and R. Luccio eds., La percezione, Milano: F. Angeli, pp. 3–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shipley, T. and Ph. Kellmann: 1994, 'Spatiotemporal Boundary Formation: Boundary, Form, and Motion Perception from Transformations of Surface Elements', Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 123, 3–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spizzo, G.: 1983, 'La regolare associazione come fonte di connessioni causali fenomeniche', Ricerche di Psicologia, 26, 221–230.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tuller, B., P. Case, M. Ding, and J.A.S. Kelso: 1994, 'The Nonlinear Dynamics of Speech Categorization', Journal of Experimental Psychology. Human Perception and Performance 20, 3–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wertheimer, M.: 1922, 'Untersuchungen zur Lehre von der Gestalt I', Psychologische Forschung 1, 47–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wertheimer, M.: 1923, 'Untersuchungen zur Lehre vom der Gestalt II', Psychologische Forschung 4, 301–350.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zimmer, A.: 1986, 'The Economy Principle, Perceptual Mechanisms and Automated Cognitive Processes', Gestalt Theory 8, 256–279.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zoltobrocki, J.: 1986, 'Die “Widerlegung” der Prägnanztendenz', Gestalt Theory 8, 280–286.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Riccardo Luccio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Luccio, R. The Emergence of Prägnanz: Gaetano Kanizsa's Legacies. Axiomathes 13, 365–387 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:AXIO.0000007206.84315.ed

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:AXIO.0000007206.84315.ed

Search

Navigation