The object-detection effect: configuration enhances perception

Line drawings used by Weisstein and Harris (1974) are seen as box-like three-dimensional figures if the lines are arranged properly. A flat two-dimensional pattern is seen when these same lines are disarranged. A target line contained within the three-dimensional figure is identified more readily th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPerception & psychophysics Vol. 50; no. 3; p. 215
Main Authors Purcell, D G, Stewart, A L
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.09.1991
Subjects
Adult
Attention
Depth Perception
Humans
Orientation
Pattern Recognition, Visual
Perceptual Masking
Psychophysics
Reaction Time
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Summary:Line drawings used by Weisstein and Harris (1974) are seen as box-like three-dimensional figures if the lines are arranged properly. A flat two-dimensional pattern is seen when these same lines are disarranged. A target line contained within the three-dimensional figure is identified more readily than is the same line contained within a two-dimensional figure. This finding was extended in the present experiments: The three-dimensional stimulus was detected more quickly than the two-dimensional stimulus, under conditions of visual backward masking. Three-dimensional stimuli were also classified more quickly than two-dimensional stimuli. Just as with the face-detection effect and the word-detection effect, object detection can be affected by the form of the visual stimulus.
ISSN:0031-5117
DOI:10.3758/BF03206744