Object and spatial representations in the corner enhancement effect

Cole, Geoff G.; Skarratt, Paul A.; Gellatly, Angus

doi:10.3758/bf03193761

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…This happens to be on the same side to which the arrows point and could itself induce an attention shift. This notion is supported by work showing that the internal structure of an object is important in influencing the distribution of attention within the object (Reppa & Leek, 2003;Vecera, Behrmann, & McGoldrick, 2000) as well as beyond its borders (Cole, Gellatly, & Blurton, 2001;Cole, Skarratt, & Gellatly, 2007). Thus, although the results of Experiments 3A, 3B, and 4 show that a shift in spatial attention can induce a negative compatibility-like effect, the primes presented in Experiment 2 may not have been acting as a spatial cue in the purest sense of the word.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

What the experimenter's prime tells the observer's brain

Cole

Kuhn

2010

Attention, Perception & Psychophysics

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The presentation of a stimulus below the threshold of conscious awareness can exert an influence on the processing of a subsequent target. One such consequence of briefly presented "primes" is seen in the negative compatibility effect. The response time (RT) to determine the left-right orientation of an arrow (i.e., the target) is relatively slow if a prime is also an arrow whose direction corresponds to that of the target. When the direction of the arrow is opposite that of the prime, RTs are relatively fast. In four experiments, we examined whether the prime shifts attention from the location of the subsequent target and whether this attention shift influences target processing. Results showed that the prime does indeed move attention. The consequence of this attention movement is that the representation of direction is affected. Specifically, RTs to process an arrow are shorter if the arrow's direction is compatible with the last shift of attention. Furthermore, this interference occurs at a conceptual level concerning the representation of left and right rather than at the motor planning level. We argue that a shift in attention brought about by the prime can create a negative compatibility-like effect.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

What the experimenter's prime tells the observer's brain

Cole

Kuhn

2010

Attention, Perception & Psychophysics

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“…Responses to angular shapes were fast in both conditions (towards and away), and it is possible that these shapes attracted attention or were more arousing than the curved shapes. This result is in line with the corner enhancement effect (Cole et al ., ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In general, a role for curvature extrema is well acknowledged in theories of shape representation (Cohen & Singh, ; De Winter & Wagemans, , ; Feldman & Singh, ; Hoffman & Richards, ; Hoffman & Singh, ; Leyton, ). There is also evidence that attention is allocated preferentially to regions near corners (Bertamini, Helmy, & Bates, ; Cole, Skarratt, & Gellatly, ) perhaps because these locations are more informative.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do observers like curvature or do they dislike angularity?

Bertamini

Palumbo

Gheorghes

et al. 2015

British J of Psychology

138

214

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Humans have a preference for curved over angular shapes, an effect noted by artists as well as scientists. It may be that people like smooth curves or that people dislike angles, or both. We investigated this phenomenon in four experiments. Using abstract shapes differing in type of contour (angular vs. curved) and complexity, Experiment 1 confirmed a preference for curvature not linked to perceived complexity. Experiment 2 tested whether the effect was modulated by distance. If angular shapes are associated with a threat, the effect may be stronger when they are presented within peripersonal space. This hypothesis was not supported. Experiment 3 tested whether preference for curves occurs when curved lines are compared to straight lines without angles. Sets of coloured lines (angular vs. curved vs. straight) were seen through a circular or square aperture. Curved lines were liked more than either angular or straight lines. Therefore, angles are not necessary to generate a preference for curved shapes. Finally, Experiment 4 used an implicit measure of preference, the manikin task, to measure approach/avoidance behaviour. Results did not confirm a pattern of avoidance for angularity but only a pattern of approach for curvature. Our experiments suggest that the threat association hypothesis cannot fully explain the curvature effect and that curved shapes are, per se, visually pleasant.

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“…In general, a role for curvature extrema is acknowledged in theories of shape representation (Cohen & Singh, 2007; De Winter & Wagemans, 2006, 2008; Feldman & Singh, 2005; Hoffman & Richards, 1984; Hoffman & Singh, 1997; Leyton, 1989). There is also evidence that attention is allocated preferentially to regions near corners (Bertamini, Helmy, & Bates, 2013; Cole, Skarratt, & Gellatly, 2007), perhaps because these are more informative locations. Many studies have also highlighted how positive and negative extrema (convexities and concavities) carry information about solid shape (Bertamini & Wagemans, 2013; Hoffman & Richards, 1984; Koenderink, 1984).…”

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confidence: 99%

An advantage for smooth compared with angular contours in the speed of processing shape.

Bertamini

Palumbo

Redies

2019

Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Perfor

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Curvature along a contour is important for shape perception, and a special role may be played by points of maxima (extrema) along the contour. Angles are discontinuities in curvature, a special case at one extreme of the curvature continuum. We report 4 studies using abstract shapes and comparing polygons (curvature discontinuities at the vertices) and a smoothed version of polygons (no vertices). Polygons are simpler and are defined by a small set of vertices, whereas smoothed shapes have a continuous curvature change along the contour. Angles have also been discussed as an early signal of threat and danger, and on that basis, one may predict faster responses to polygons. However, curved shapes are more typical of the natural environment in which the visual system has evolved. For a detection task, we found faster responses to smooth shapes, not mediated by complexity (Experiment 1). We then tested 3 orthogonal shape tasks: comparison between shapes (detection of repetition; Experiment 2a), comparison after a rotation (Experiment 2b), and detection of bilateral symmetry (Experiment 3). In all tasks, responses for smoothed stimuli were faster; there was also an interaction with type of response: Trials with smooth shapes were faster when a positive response was produced. Overall, there was evidence that smooth shapes with continuous change in curvature along the contour are processed more efficiently, and they tend to be classified as targets. We discuss this in relation to shape analysis and to the preference for smoothed over angular shapes.

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Object and spatial representations in the corner enhancement effect

Cited by 6 publications

References 39 publications

What the experimenter's prime tells the observer's brain

What the experimenter's prime tells the observer's brain

Do observers like curvature or do they dislike angularity?

An advantage for smooth compared with angular contours in the speed of processing shape.

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