Vicente Raja

In this engaging discussion, Miguel Segundo-Ortin and Vicente Raja, both postdoctoral researchers from the University of Murcia, delve into ecological psychology and its transformative potential for education. They argue that traditional learning environments often constrict exploration, while ecological psychology encourages sensory-rich interactions with surroundings. The duo highlights the intertwined nature of perception and action, the importance of agency in learning, and the need for educators to embrace the complexities of human experience, drawing from the legacies of psychological pioneers like Eleanor Gibson.

Vicente Raja, a philosopher and cognitive scientist at the University of Murcia, explores ecological psychology, focusing on perception, affordances, and behavior in organisms and plants. He discusses the idea of 'motifs'—imprecise yet useful concepts that unify diverse scientific discussions. Vicente critiques traditional neuroscience's internal models, advocating for a perception-action approach instead. He also highlights innovative studies on plant behavior, demonstrating how climbing plants adjust their movements toward potential supports. This synthesis of philosophy and science offers a refreshing perspective on cognition.

Miguel Segundo Ortín, a philosophy researcher at Universidad de Murcia, and Vicente Raja, a post-doctoral researcher at the same institution, dive into ecological psychology. They discuss the relationship between perception and action, emphasizing how environments influence cognitive processes. The duo explores affordances, explaining how we perceive interaction opportunities without complex thought. They also touch on the link between ecological psychology and neurosciences, advocating for ecologically valid experiments, and reflect on the community's role in advancing this innovative field.