Psicologia em Revista
Print version ISSN 1677-1168
Abstract
KASTRUP, Virgínia. Invention on fingertips: attention reversion in visually impaired people. Psicol. rev. (Belo Horizonte) [online]. 2007, vol.13, n.1, pp.69-90. ISSN 1677-1168.
Several studies have indicated that the loss of sight causes a reorganization of the cognitive system due to new allocations of attention, which are the condition for the reinvention of these peoples daily lives. On the other hand, it becomes more and more evident that the field of perception encompasses a set of complex experiences beyond the functional and useful dimension. There is a functional attention geared towards practical life, and a supplementary attention that permeates the process of invention. This paper aims to analyze two types of changes in attention in those who have lost their sight: the redirection of sight towards tact; and reversion, that is, a change in the attention quality. The argumentation is supported by experimental psychology studies; the works of Bergson, Depraz, Varela and Vermersch; and a field work carried out in a ceramics workshop with people presenting acquired visual impairment.
Keywords : Invention; Attention; Visual impairment.