The correlation between velocity and perceived depth in motion

Abstract

Two experiments were performed to confirm the correlation between velocity and perceived depth in seeing 3-dimensional structures in 2-dimensional motion. Experiment I tested Ullman's conveyor belt patterns as simulated by random bright dots moving horizontally on a CRT screen. The result was that 20 subjects all perceived the velocity distribution patterns as depth cues. Experiment 2 tested the effect of velocity upon seeing depth arrangements in CRT simulation of two objects moving independently. The result again showed that the perceived arrangements in depth was strongly correlated with velocity patterns on the display. It is concluded from these results that the human visual system has a strong preference for the correlation between velocity on the retina and perceived depth and this effect is independent of the bias for rigidity.