What Eye Movement Research Tells Us about Perceptual Behavior of Children and Adults: Implications for the Visual Arts

Abstract

record of eye fixations and movements is an objective measure of an individual's involvement with an art object. This review of eye movement research reveals distinct patterns of viewing behavior which are determined by the age of the viewer, the type of visual material, nature of the problem confronting the viewer, and the structure of the object. Strategies to employ, alter, or measure the effect of these behaviors are important to learning and research in the visual arts. Eye movement research over the last forty-five years provides evidence that some general characteristics of eye movement behavior can be identified for children and adults while viewing works of art and pictures. perception of an art object occurs so rapidly that the individual is unaware of the many eye movements and fixations used to scan the surface of the object. record of eye movements and fixations is an objective measure which can help in understanding the perceptual process with works of art. Descriptions of the relationship of eye movements and perceptual response to works of art can be found in the art literature. Bevlin (1971) describes John Sargent's painting The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit in the following manner: The two strong groupings of standing figures are balanced by the seated child. Our eyes are led to the child by the downward sweep in the aprons on the older sisters (p. 246). Taylor (1957) outlines a viewing pattern concerning Pietro Perugino's painting The Crucifixion with Saints: our eyes tend to relate similar colors. Further, strong contrasts, whether of hue or of value,