Abstract

What is the nature of the relationship between perception and action? This is an enduring question in psychology which still does not have a definitive answer. Does perception serve action? Can actions occur without perception? In other words, are their underlying processes shared? Some have argued that perceptual processes are impenetrable and may operate outside of cognitive and motor processes (Pylyshyn, 1999). Others believe that perception and action are intimately linked and do not operate on their own (cf. Gibson). The question of whether and how perception and action are represented in the brain has also been central to debates about their relationship. Finally, questions of purpose in psychology inevitably include theories about the connection between perception and action.