Review

Principles of Perceptual Organization

Role of Principle in Forming Health

Beliefs and Practices

◦Health Belief Model

Individuals tend to organize environmental stimuliinto some meaningful patterns or whole according tocertain principles. Some of the important principlesare: Principles of Figure-Ground Relationship Principles of Closure Principles of Grouping Principles of Simplicity Principles of Contour Principle of Context Principle of Contrast Principle of Adaptability

According to figure ground relationship a figure is

perceived in relation to its background.

The perception of the object or figure in terms of colour,

size, shape and intensity etc. depends upon the figure

ground relationship.

We perceive a figure against a background or background

against a figure depending upon the characteristics of the

perceiver as well as the relative strength of the figure or

ground.

According to principle of closure, whileconfronting an incomplete pattern onetends to complete or close the pattern to fillin sensory gaps and perceive it as ameaningful whole.

This type of organization is helpful ininterpreting various incomplete objects,patterns or stimuli present in ourenvironment.

It refers to a tendency to perceive stimuli in some

meaningful patterns by grouping them on some solid

basis like similarity, proximity, continuity etc.

We perceive the simplest possible patternbecause they enable the perceiver toperceive the whole from some of its part.

The contour is said to be boundary betweenthe figure and its background.

The degree of this contour separating thefigure from its ground is responsible forenabling us to recognize stimuli or objectsinto meaningful pattern.

Perceptual organization is also governed bythe principle of context.

E.g. an examiner may award higher marks tothe same answer sheet in a pleasant contextthan in an unpleasant context.

Perceptual organization is very much affectedthrough contrast effects as the stimuli thatare in sharp contrast to nearby stimuli maydraw our maximum attention and carrydifferent perceptual affects.

The perceptual organization for thesame stimuli depends upon theadaptability of the perceiver toperceive similar stimuli.

An individual who adapts himself towork before an intense bright lightwill perceive normal sunlight as quitedim.

Health behaviours are those activities engaged in by people

who are basically healthy that have an impact upon their

health status.

◦ seeking information about health-related matters;

◦ going to the doctor, clinic, or dentist for check-ups,

◦ prophylaxis, or immunizations;

◦ engaging in exercise and good nutritional practices;

◦ wearing seat belts;

◦ practising 'safe sex';

◦ periodic self-examinations of breasts or testes; and

◦ moderate use of alcohol.

smoking cigarettes;

misusing drugs;

drinking to excess; and

sharing needlesetc.

Health psychologists are particularly interested in

isolating the factors which might affect health

behaviours, not only so they might better understand

the processes involved, but also so that they might

change the behaviours in order to optimize health

status.

Perception of person determines his/her health beliefs

and behavior.

The health belief model isa psychological health behaviorchange model developed to explain andpredict health-related behaviors, particularlyin regard to the uptake of health services.

Developed by Irwin M. Rosenstock

It was developed in the 1950s by a group ofU.S. Public Health Service socialpsychologists who wanted to explain whyso few people were participating inprograms to prevent and detect disease.

The health belief model proposes that aperson's health-related behaviordepends on the person's perception offour critical areas:◦ the severity of a potential illness,

◦ the person's susceptibility to that illness,

◦ the benefits of taking a preventive action,and

◦ the barriers to taking that action.

1. Perceived Susceptibility

2. Perceived severity

3. Perceived benefits

4. Perceived costs

5. Motivation

6. Enabling or modifying factors

refers to a person’s perception that a health problem is personally relevant or that a diagnosis of illness is accurate.

even when one recognizes personalsusceptibility, action will not occurunless the individual perceives theseverity to be high enough to haveserious organic or socialcomplications.

refers to the patient’s belief that agiven treatment will cure the illness orhelp to prevent it.

refers to the complexity, duration, andaccessibility and accessibility of thetreatment.

includes the desire to comply with atreatment and the belief that peopleshould do what.

include personality variables, patientsatisfaction, and socio-demographicfactors.