Perception in Soviet psychology.

Abstract

The relation between experimental work in perception in the Soviet Union and the orthodox philosophy of the Soviet state is discussed. It is pointed out that both the philosophy derived from Lenin and Marx and the needs of the state exert an influence on the nature of the problems studied and the type of theory developed. Studies in the areas of tactual, auditory, and visual perception are reviewed. These are considered against the background of Leont'ev's motor-copy theory of perception, currently the most systematic Soviet approach to perception. Certain other studies in visual perception conducted in the context of Uznadze's theory of set, as well as some mathematical approaches to perception not fitting into any general theoretical frame, are also briefly reviewed. Three prominent issues are apparent in Soviet work in the field of perception: an epistemological concern, an emphasis on response processes, and a pragmatic interest. It is the purpose of the present review to describe several areas of research pursued by Soviet psychologists interested in perception. The discussion will attempt to point out the manifestations of these trends and at the same time to be detailed enough to present some essence and perhaps more flavor of the research. The epistemological current in Soviet psychology derives from the accepted state philosophy, Marxist materialism— in this particular case Lenin's elaboration of Marx as it is applied to sensation and perception. In brief the Soviet philosophical position might be characterized as follows: The materialist position argues for the existence of the real world and the primacy of matter against any kind of idealist philosophy.

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