Completion of Simple Geometric Forms as a Function of Varied Degrees of Incomplete Presentation

Abstract

26 Ss were shown 9 partial presentations of 3 simple geometric figures. The figures were a circle, a square, and a diamond, and they were presented in stages of ¼ ½, and ¾ completion. Ss were told that the stimuli were parts of a more complete figure which they were to draw. They were also required to explain why they drew the figure they did. The following conclusions seem most significant. (1) All Ss complete partial figures according to a generic sense of good continuation in the sense that all completions conform to the incomplete stimulus figure. (2) In order to account for all of the data a distinction between situation demand and task demand was introduced. All Ss who experienced task demand did experience the partial figures as in need of completion. (3) A ¾ presentation of a familiar geometric figure can lead to the experience of demand to complete the figure in a univocal way for most Ss. (4) The partial squares, circles, and diamonds, conceived as incipient systems, constitute 3 different systems with respect to their functional significance. Also, in the sense that all Ss who experienced the parts as parts did so on the basis of functional significance, the data support Gurwitsch's functionalistic conception of a whole.