In our last post we looked at how understanding how humans perceive figure-ground can help improve the composition of your photos.  But figure-ground is only the first step.  Humans use other Gestaltian principles when perceiving the visual world.  Mostly these principles are assumptions that allow us to perceive more than what we are actually sense. Hence the name 'gestalt' meaning whole or in other words how we perceive more than what we sense.

Closure
One of these principles is closure.  Here, when faced with incomplete visual information our brain fills in the missing elements.  Knowing them the human brain is a meaning machine photographers can capitalize on this mental activity by purposely forcing the viewer to close off images thus keeping them engaged in the photo for longer.

Gestalt Psychology studies how we perceive the visual information constantly  flooding into our occipital lobes.  This information needs to be processed rapidly and is often incomplete, forcing us to make quick assumptions about our world.  These shortcuts and assumptions are called Gestaltian principles.  Since these principles influence how humans perceive an image, their use can help improve the composition of your next photograph.  

At our recent field trip to the MFA a few of us tried applying these principles to give you examples of Gestaltian Psych in action.

Figure Ground
This is the most basic of visual shortcuts we use. When given an image we quickly determine what is the figure and what is the ground.  Here Jess uses the stark silhouette of the skyline to create a figure on the background of the gray sky.  

In this shot, Jessica's use of the textured background adds interest in the shot without taking attention away from her subject.  

If the weather forecast holds, it looks like Monday will be a snow day as well.  To make up for the lost class time you will need to head over to our page on Unit 8: Motivation, Emotion and Stress and watch all of the videos for 8-5 and 8-6.   

After you've viewed these, please post a thoughtful comment in the comments section below this post.  I'm inviting those of you who are interested to continue to comment and help foster a meaningful conversation.  Share your thoughts and critiques about what you've seen and what you see in our world.  Meaningful discussion will be rewarded not only insight into the human condition but psych immersions as well.  (Consider joining the #notbuyingit campaign on Twitter to call out advertisers that perpetuate this toxic media).

Questions/comments to prompt discussion/thoughts:

• You marinate in a toxic media environment.  Do Katz and Kilbourne accurately summarize this marinade?  Find examples of your own and bring them into the conversation.  
• Does the Guy Code keep men in a box?
• Does the constant barrage of hyper-realistic perfect image impact our body image? 
• Do you think the toxic media landscape outlined by Kilbourne can explain the gender differences that we see in the development of Anorexia and Bulimia?
• How does Kilbourne's argument about labeling things like compassion and empathy as feminine and then seeing them as weak play into Katz' argument in Tough Guise?
• Do we treat women as objects in our society?  If so, what's the result?
• Do you agree with Katz' TED talk?  If so what do we do?  Is He For She a good first step?

Day 1-1: This class is about POWER           Monday, Jan 26th
Objective: Leave today about to explain to anyone who asks, what your new Active Citizenship class is about.

• Agenda:
  
• Hitler Story
  
• Class introduction PowerPoint
  
• Power Dynamics Analysis: Eric Garner and ‘United Against Racism’ Protesters
  
• Collected Class Introduction PowerPoint Notes __________  
  
• HW:  Complete the Getting to Know you Sheet
  

Day 1-2: Psychology 101                               Thursday, Jan 29th
Objective:  Leave today able to define psychology and explain how it forms the basis for this course.
Agenda:
Disneyland Story
DUGI on 1-1 and introduction of AC Level Questions. 
Collect DUGI on 1-1 ____________
Psychology 101 Demos and PowerPoint
Collect Psychology 101 PowerPoint Notes __________ 

Day 1-3: WHS is here for you                      Friday, Jan 30th
Objective: Leave today able to state and explain the purpose of the WHS Mission statement.
Agenda:
DUGI on 1-2
Collect DUGI on 1-2 ____________
Money and Happiness PowerPoint
Career earnings and Cost of Living Demo
Collect Money and Happiness PowerPoint Notes __________

Essential Question: How can I participate as an active citizen of this community?
Skill Objective: Look up words when necessary and practice the reading to learn
Content Objective: Identify he purpose of the sections of the US constitution

All handouts can be found at Anatomy of the US Constitution

- Activator- Preamble Re-Write / Read with a purpose
- Anatomy of a Constitution Readings
- Comprehension worksheets

Essential Question: How can I participate as an active citizen of this community?
Skill Objective: Employ critical insights on the Federal FY14 budget.  Make applications from a reading to your world.
Content Objective: Students will leave with a basic understanding of the federal budget deficit.


- Define Debt.
- Watch the John Oliver Clip on Student Debt as a real world connection
- Analyze the Federal FY14 Budget as a strategic reading
- Watch the Crash Course on understanding the Federal Deficit 
- Work in groups to complete the Federal Budget Challenge

Unit 6 Exam on Cognition

Essential Question: How can I participate as an active citizen of this community?
Content Objective:  Students will leave able to identify how various governments directly impact their lives.
Skill Objective: Students will note how the handout models a graphic representation of a complex subject

Graphic Organizer of the levels of government in your life.

Agenda

- Pass in your paragraph on your Career Academy Plan.  Complete for HW and pass in tomorrow if it is not complete.
- Read the Ledger Article Handout and complete a Strategic Reading Template
- Complete the Town Government Structure Worksheet
- Find your Town Councilor on the Town Government Quick Reference Sheet

Agenda

- Go over Unit 5 Learning MC
- Go over Unit 5 FRQ
- Start Unit 6 Cognition
- 6-1 Cognition and Concepts PowerPoint