* Information theory in perception: Attneave applied information theory to understand how humans process visual information. He argued that perception involves extracting the most relevant information from stimuli, and that the "information content" of a stimulus is inversely related to its redundancy. He conducted experiments using simple geometric shapes to demonstrate these principles.
* Gestalt psychology: Attneave was influenced by Gestalt psychology and studied how the brain organizes visual information into meaningful patterns. He examined the principles of grouping and figure-ground perception, and how these principles contribute to our perception of the world.
* Cognitive maps: Attneave contributed to the understanding of cognitive maps, which are internal representations of spatial environments. He conducted experiments to explore how humans acquire and use spatial knowledge.
Notable books written by Fred Attneave:
* Applications of Information Theory to Psychology: A Summary of Basic Concepts, Methods, and Results (1959): This book presented a comprehensive overview of information theory and its applications to psychological research, particularly in the area of perception.
* Perception and Art: This book, which he co-authored with Mary Attneave, explored the relationship between perception and aesthetic experience. It examines how principles of perception influence our appreciation of art.
While these are his most well-known works, he also published numerous articles and research papers on perception, cognition, and other related topics. His research significantly influenced the development of cognitive psychology and continues to be cited in contemporary research.