Apparent Depth and the Müller—Lyer Illusion

Perception ◽  
1973 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
M A Georgeson ◽  
C Blakemore
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Apparent Depth ◽  
Size Constancy ◽  
Comparison Line ◽  
Perspective View ◽  
Lyer Illusion ◽  
Classical Size

The Müller–Lyer illusion was presented stereoscopically as either a flat or a three-dimensional figure. When the flat figure was made to appear closer or further than a comparison line, the illusion persisted along with large changes in overall size due to classical size constancy. When the fins of the figure were tilted in depth the illusion was somewhat reduced for both forward and backward tilts. It is argued that the size-constancy theory of illusions should predict an enhancement when stereopsis and the typical perspective view' reinforce each other, and abolition or reversal of the illusion when they are in opposition. These results therefore pose some problems for the theory.

Depth Location of Shafts Filling Half the Space between Mueller-Lyer Fins

1968 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 1019-1022 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. G. Stacey ◽  
A. R. Pike
Keyword(s):  
Apparent Depth ◽  
Size Constancy ◽  
Lyer Illusion ◽  
Dark Room

Using luminous stimuli in a dark room, Ss were required to judge the apparent depth location of shafts filling half the space between the ingoing and outgoing fins of the Mueller-Lyer illusion. Under these conditions there is a reversal of the apparent depth location of the shafts as compared with the usual M-L illusion. This finding is contrary to a prediction derived from the misapplied size-constancy theory but can be interpreted in terms of the size-distance principle.

The Cylinder Configuration: When is a Distortion an Illusion?

Perception ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 581-587 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Treisman
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Object Orientation ◽  
Perceptual System ◽  
The Other ◽  
Size Constancy ◽  
Lyer Illusion ◽  
Direct Association

A figure with one end rounded and the other concluding in an ellipse (the ‘cylinder configuration’) may appear longer than a rectangle of the same true length. It is proposed that when this configuration is processed as a three-dimensional body, it provides a cue for object orientation which causes the perceptual system to make an adjustment in the direction appropriate for maintaining size constancy. This effect may be considered a normal perceptual adjustment, appropriately applied. When the cylinder configuration is embedded in a context which does not favour its being processed as three-dimensional, a weaker adjustment in length may still occur. It is suggested that this effect, which may properly be classified as an illusion, may arise through direct association of the critical pattern of lines with the process of lengthening produced by the size-constancy mechanisms. Some relations of the present configuration to the Müller-Lyer illusion, and implications for the latter, are also discussed.

The Role of Figure Orientation and Apparent Depth in the Perception of the Horizontal—Vertical Illusion

Perception ◽  
1975 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harvey R Schiffman ◽  
Jack G Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Stimulus Figure ◽  
Vertical Line ◽  
Apparent Depth ◽  
Horizontal Line ◽  
Size Constancy ◽  
Illusory Effect

An experiment was performed which examined the role of figural orientation directly, and the role of an inappropriately invoked size-constancy mechanism indirectly, in the actuation and magnitude of the horizontal—vertical illusion. When the vertical line of the stimulus figure was aligned above the horizontal line, the illusory effect was significant and positive; in contrast, when the vertical line was located below the horizontal line, the illusion was negative. Under the assumption that a vertical line can appear as a foreshortened line in depth, these findings support an explanation based on the operation of a misapplied size-constancy mechanism.

Use and Misuse of Linear Perspective in the Perceptual Reconstruction of 3-D Perspective View Displays

2002 ◽  
Vol 46 (17) ◽  
pp. 1560-1564 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harvey S. Smallman ◽  
Mark St. John ◽  
Michael B. Cowen
Keyword(s):  
Computational Model ◽  
Real World ◽  
Relative Position ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Linear Perspective ◽  
Perspective View ◽  
Physical Length ◽  
Cardinal Directions ◽  
Dimensions Of Space

Despite the increasing prevalence of three-dimensional (3-D) perspective views of scenes, there remain a number of concerns about their utility, particularly for precise relative position tasks. Here, we empirically measure and then mathematically model the perceptual biases found in participants' perceptual reconstruction of perspective views. Participants reconstructed the length of 10 test posts scattered across a 3-D scene to match the physical length of a reference post. The test posts were all oriented in the X, Y or Z cardinal directions of 3-D space. Four viewing angles from 90 degrees (“2-D”) down to 22.5 degrees (“3-D”) were used. Matches systematically underestimated the compression of distances into the scene (Y) and systematically overestimated the compression of height (Z). A simple computational model is developed to account for the results that posits that linear perspective (that only operates in X) is inappropriately used to scale matching lengths in all three dimensions of space. The model suggests a novel account of the systematic underestimation of egocentric distances in the real world.

Extrapolating and interpolating surfaces in depth

1985 ◽  
Vol 224 (1234) ◽  
pp. 43-56 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Surface Orientation ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Apparent Depth ◽  
Right Hand ◽  
Pictorial Cues ◽  
Random Dot Stereograms ◽  
Sloping Surface ◽  
The Right ◽  
Hand Image

Random -dot stereograms were generated with a blank area placed in part of the right-hand image so making a patchwork of monocular and binocular areas. The perceived depth and shape of the monocular region, where depth was not explicitly marked, depended in p art on the depth and surface orientation of adjacent binocular areas. Thus a monocular rectangle flanked by two binocular rectangles which were placed in different fronto-parallel planes was seen as a sloping surface spanning the depth between the binocular regions, and, under some conditions, the gradient of a sloping binocular plane extended into a neighbouring monocular area. Division of the monocular region into two by textural discontinuities or discontinuities of motion sometimes altered the shape of the extrapolated surface. Often, though, the shape was unchanged by such discontinuities implying that both two- and three-dimensional features are used to segment a scene into separate surfaces. Pictorial cues also contribute to the shape and apparent depth of the monocular surface. For instance, when subjects viewed a display consisting of portions of a cube of which two ends were shown stereoscopically and one side monocularly, the monocular side was seen in three dimensions filling the gap between the ends. When stereo cues were pitted against pictorial cues, sometimes pictorial cues and sometimes stereo cues dominated, and sometimes the surface contained sharp discontinuities enabling both to be accommodated.

Effect of Changes in Fin-Length on Apparent Shaft-Length and Depth in the Müller-Lyer Illusion

1975 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ted Jaeger
Keyword(s):  
Apparent Depth ◽  
Shaft Length ◽  
Lyer Illusion ◽  
Perspective Theory ◽  
Fin Length ◽  
Back Illuminated

Müller-Lyer figures with outgoing fins were back illuminated and apparent shaft-length and depth were both judged by 20 undergraduates. With the angle between the fins constant, progressive increases in fin-length produced first an increase in the apparent shaft-length and then a decrease. Changes in fin-length, however, had no significant effect on apparent depth. These data were interpreted as inconsistent with an account of the Müller-Lyer illusion in terms of perspective theory, since the latter predicts systematic changes in perceived shaft-length to be associated with systematic changes in perceived depth.

Effects of Training in Design on Magnitude of the Müller-Lyer Illusion

1976 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques E. Letourneau
Keyword(s):  
Retinal Image ◽  
Size Constancy ◽  
Distant Object ◽  
Lyer Illusion ◽  
Design Students ◽  
Optometry Students

The Müller-Lyer illusion was measured for 10 design and 10 optometry students. The illusion was smaller for design students and they improved significantly with practice. The results are discussed in relation to size-constancy, according to which part of the figure corresponding to a distant object is overestimated and to the aptitude of design students to draw according to their retinal image.

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