How does isomorphism relate perception to underlying neurological correlates?
The term isomorphism, can be understood as, iso meaning identical, and morph meaning shape. The concept of Isomorphism was viewed by Gestalt psychologists, as a perfect reflection of their psychological principles. Isomorphism has been related with perception in such that, perception is regarded as a map, which is identical in form or shape to what it represents. At the same time it is not an exact copy of the sensory element, which is referred to as terrain.
The Gestalt psychologists believed that the mind perceived whole of the experience, not the individual sensory elements. The individual sensory elements do not contribute as such to the experience. They correlated this belief with the neurological factors, by the means of Isomorphism. It is believed that experiences are holistic results of active organization of sensory elements.
Upon perceiving any object or stimulus, the raw information is received in the form of pieces. The mind creates a complete experience by actively giving shape and form to this information. Wertheimer supported the configural and wholeness of brain activity, with Phi Phenomenon. The phi phenomenon is accounted for, by correlation between conscious experience and corresponding brain activity.
Köhler also correlated the field of forces with that of brain activity. A field of neuronal activity is established in the brain due to the electrochemical processes, which occur in response to the impulses generated by sensory elements.