Perceived size of familiar objects and the theory of off-sized perceptions

Predebon, John

doi:10.3758/bf03213902

Cited by 22 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…A prior probability for distance will presumably also influence the perceived size, because the perceived distance is used to judge the size (Brenner & van Damme, 1999), and will thereby presumably indirectly influence the size prior, but we have no direct support for this from our data. Both assumptions about likely sizes and assumptions about likely distances contribute to judgments of perceived distance (Collett et al, 1991;Gogel & Da Silva, 1987;Predebon, 1994;Sousa et al, 2010;Sousa, Brenner, & Smeets, 2011). We show that the range of experienced sizes influences not only the mean of the size prior but also the weight given to the retinal size information, and thereby distance judgments.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Judging an unfamiliar object's distance from its retinal image size

2011

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How do we know how far an object is? If an object's size is known, its retinal image size can be used to judge its distance. To some extent, the retinal image size of an unfamiliar object can also be used to judge its distance, because some object sizes are more likely than others. To examine whether assumptions about object size are used to judge distance, we had subjects indicate the distance of virtual cubes in complete darkness. In separate sessions, the simulated cube size either varied slightly or considerably across presentations. Most subjects indicated a further distance when the simulated cube was smaller, showing that they used retinal image size to judge distance. The cube size that was considered to be most likely depended on the simulated cubes on previous trials. Moreover, subjects relied twice as strongly on retinal image size when the range of simulated cube sizes was small. We conclude that the variability in the perceived cube sizes on previous trials influences the range of sizes that are considered to be likely.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Judging an unfamiliar object's distance from its retinal image size

2011

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“…The influence of familiar objects on visual processing under reduced viewing conditions has been extensively discussed in past (e.g., Schiffman, 1967; Gogel and Da Silva, 1987; Predebon, 1994). There is agreement that familiar objects operate as determinant for perceived size and distance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fast and Forceful: Modulation of Response Activation Induced by Shifts of Perceived Depth in Virtual 3D Space

Plewan

Rinkenauer

2016

Front. Psychol.

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Reaction time (RT) can strongly be influenced by a number of stimulus properties. For instance, there was converging evidence that perceived size rather than physical (i.e., retinal) size constitutes a major determinant of RT. However, this view has recently been challenged since within a virtual three-dimensional (3D) environment retinal size modulation failed to influence RT. In order to further investigate this issue in the present experiments response force (RF) was recorded as a supplemental measure of response activation in simple reaction tasks. In two separate experiments participants’ task was to react as fast as possible to the occurrence of a target located close to the observer or farther away while the offset between target locations was increased from Experiment 1 to Experiment 2. At the same time perceived target size (by varying the retinal size across depth planes) and target type (sphere vs. soccer ball) were modulated. Both experiments revealed faster and more forceful reactions when targets were presented closer to the observers. Perceived size and target type barely affected RT and RF in Experiment 1 but differentially affected both variables in Experiment 2. Thus, the present findings emphasize the usefulness of RF as a supplement to conventional RT measurement. On a behavioral level the results confirm that (at least) within virtual 3D space perceived object size neither strongly influences RT nor RF. Rather the relative position within egocentric (body-centered) space presumably indicates an object’s behavioral relevance and consequently constitutes an important modulator of visual processing.

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“…Their distance estimates were linear with FOV, and nonlinear with distance from the monitor. As others have pointed out (e.g., Gogel, 1976;Piantaneda, Boma, & Gille, 1993;Predebon, 1994) visual angle in degrees is an accurate, linear index of size and distance.…”

Section: Observers and Proceduresmentioning

confidence: 92%

Effects of Field of View on Judgments of Self-Location: Distortions in Distance Estimations Even When the Image Geometry Exactly Fits the Field of View

1998

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This research stems from the casual observation that the image of a television screen with 18°geometric field of view (FOVg) as seen on a real television with 17°real FOV appears much ''nearer'' than the real television-as much as 98% closer. Does the image appear ''nearer'' because the distance to the real television is misjudged or is a mental model of a virtual subjective self-location created? Either way, all the projective mapping in the world, whether only in the z plane or in all x, y, and z planes, is irrelevant to explain this powerful perceptual or cognitive effect that the neglected variable of FOV has on self-location in virtual space. Accurate perception of the scene and precise self-location in virtual environments is the goal of accurate perspective geometries, scene computation, and helmet-mounted display (HMD) optics. Yet, as research has already clearly shown, accurate geometric projection is no guarantee of accurate perception: for instance, images viewed exactly at their proper projection points have repeatedly been seen at distorted distances or inaccurate directions. In addition to precise engineering, it is important to understand the psychology of selflocation, also called egocenters, to obtain an understanding of virtual space. A new theory, Cognitive Frame Theory, is proposed to deal with cognitive modifications of perception in a way that emphasizes the importance of self-location. Cognitive Frame Theory builds on the phenomenal geometry underlying self-location perceptions: the localization of objects in space requires a combination of perceived distance, perceived direction, and the perception of the position or motion of the self. A fundamentally novel component of the theory suggests that observers use their natural fields of view of 120°vertical by 180°horizontal as the primary standard for interpreting visual displays and their self-location in the space of those displays.

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Perceived size of familiar objects and the theory of off-sized perceptions

Cited by 22 publications

References 9 publications

Judging an unfamiliar object's distance from its retinal image size

Judging an unfamiliar object's distance from its retinal image size

Fast and Forceful: Modulation of Response Activation Induced by Shifts of Perceived Depth in Virtual 3D Space

Effects of Field of View on Judgments of Self-Location: Distortions in Distance Estimations Even When the Image Geometry Exactly Fits the Field of View

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