The Perception of Illusory Contours

324 Pages·1987·16.037 MB·English

by  Glenn E. Meyer, Susan Petry (auth.), Susan Petry, Glenn E. Meyer (eds.)

The Perception of Illusory Contours
Susan Petry and Glenn E. Meyer
Editors
The Perception
of Illusory Contours
With 279 Illustrations, 7 in Full Color
Springer-Verlag
New York Berlin Heidelberg
London Paris Tokyo
Susan Petry
Department of Psychology
Adelphi University
Garden City, New York 11530
USA
Glenn E. Meyer
Department of Psychology
Lewis and Clark College
Portland, Oregon 97219
USA
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
The perception of illusory contours.
Includes index.
I. Visual perception. 2. Optical illusions.
I. Petry, Susan Jane. II. Meyer, Glenn E.
BF241.P435 1987 153.7'4 87-4572
© 1987 by Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
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ISBN 3-540-96518-1 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg New York
Acknowledgment
The idea for a book on illusory contours grew been a source of inspiration for us. Finally,
out of a conference on the topic, which we orga Nick Wade provided an intriguing artistic con
nized and which took place at Adelphi U niver clusion to the book.
sity in November 1985 (Petry & Meyer, 1986). Additional thanks for their help in various as
While not a proceedings, much of the material pects of the book go to Lothar Spillman, Wal
presented in the individual chapters originated ter Ehrenstein, John Tagney, and Marc Sea
with ideas presented and exchanged at that con brechts. We would also like to extend our
ference. Although an exceedingly popular re thanks to the faculty, staff, and students at
search topic, illusory contours have never been Adelphi University and Lewis and Clark Col
the sole topic of a book before. We believed lege for all their help, in particular to the gradu
that their time had come. ate students in the Perceptual Organization II
We undertook the project of editing a book Seminar, who read and commented on the
on illusory contours for a variety of reasons and chapters in manuscript form, and to our hard
with a variety of emotions. It frequently seems working and underpaid secretaries-Eleanor
that the major thing one learns when undertak Shaw, Pat Carey, Karen Thompson, Susan Ma
ing a project of this magnitude is never to do it sotti, and Marge McKenna.
again. Although we wish to reserve judgment Partial funding for this project came from the
on this point, we can say that the experience U.S. Air Force Office on Scientific Research
has been unforgettable. Grant (#86-0028), and we are extremely grate
It has been a pleasure and an honor to work ful for this.
with the distinguished groups of researchers We would also like to thank the people at
who are the contributors to the book. To them, Springer-Verlag, for their helpful and timely in
first and foremost, we give heartfelt thanks. formation, encouragement, and support.
Four contributors deserve special acknowl Finally, we would like to thank our fami
edgment. Anne Hogg translated both the Schu lies-Wayne Martin, Melanie Anne Meyer, and
mann (1900) and Ehrenstein (1941) articles, a Courtney, Ross, and Owen Martin-for every
time-consuming and arduous task. Walter Ger thing.
bino graciously and painstakingly translated the
Kanizsa (1955a) article. Ross Day served as Susan Petry
keynote speaker at the conference, and has Glenn E. Meyer
Contents
Acknowledgment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
Contributors ....................................................................... xiii
Section I: Introductory and Historical Material ....................... .
Chapter 1 Top-Down and Bottom-Up: The Illusory Contour as a Microcosm
of Issues in Perception. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Glenn E. Meyer and Susan Petry
History............................................................. 4
Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
The Common Types of Illusory Contours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Stereopsis and the Illusory Contour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 10
Illusory Contours, Art, and Graphic Design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 13
Theories of Illusory Contours. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 15
The Plan of the Book. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 19
Chapter 2 Contributions to the Analysis of Visual Perception-First Paper: Some
Observations on the Combination of Visual Impressions into Units. . . . . . .. 21
F. Schumann (Translated by Anne Hogg)
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 21
Addendum .......................................................... 33
Chapter 3 Modifications of the Brightness Phenomenon of L. Hermann. . . . . . . . . . . . .. 35
Walter Ehrenstein (Translated by Anne Hogg)
Hermann's Phenomenon (Hering's Contrast Grid Phenomenon) . . . . . . . . . .. 35
Modifications of Hermann's Phenomenon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 35
Towards an Explanation of the Phenomenon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 39
Chapter 4 Quasi-Perceptual Margins in Homogeneously Stimulated Fields ........... 40
Gaetano Kanizsa (Translated by Walter Gerbil/o)
Lines and Contours .................................................. 40
Virtual Lines ....................................................... , 41
Quasi-Perceptual Margins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 43
1986 Addendum ...................................................... 49
viii Contents
Section II Theoretical Analyses ...................................... 51
Chapter 5 Cues for Edge and the Origin of Illusory Contours:
An Alternative Approach ............................................. 53
Ross H. Day
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 53
Illusory Contours and the Spread of Induced Brightness and Color . . . . . . .. 53
Illusory Contours in the Absence of Induced Brightness or Color. . . . . . . . .. 56
Illusory Contours and Apparent Depth ................................. 56
Illusory Contours and Cues for Edge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 57
Illusory Contours as a Member of a Class of Perceptual Effects. . . . . . . . . .. 59
Concluding Comments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 60
Chapter 6 A Problem-Solving Approach to Illusory Contours. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 62
Irvin Rock
The Sensory Theory: Contrast. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 62
A Problem-Solving Theory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 64
Final Remarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 69
Chapter 7 Anomalous Figures and the Tendency to Continuation ....... . . . . . . . . . . .. 71
Gian Franco Minguzzi
Amodal Completion and Amodal Continuation .......................... 71
The Role of Brightness Contrast. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 71
The Role of Points and Ends of Lines as Inducing Elements. . . . . . . . . . . . .. 74
Chapter 8 Illusory Figures and Pictorial Objects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 76
Theodore E. Parks
Illusory Figures Are Cognitive Creations. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . ... 76
Illusory Figures Are Not "Pictured" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 78
In Conclusion. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 79
Chapter 9 Illusory Contours and Occluding Surfaces. . .. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. 81
Richard L. Gregory
Approaches to Views of Perception and Illusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 81
Illusory Contours and Ghostly Surfaces. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . ... 82
Invoking Surfaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 83
The Role of Cognition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 88
Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 89
Section III Physiologically Based Analyses and Models ................. 91
Chapter 10 Visual Perception of Surfaces: A Biological Theory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 93
V. S. Ramachandran
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 93
Section I: Stereopsis ........ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 96
Section 2: Motion ................................................. ' .. 100
Section 3: Color. ..................................................... 101
Discussion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Contents ix
Chapter 11 The Existence of Interpolated Illusory Contours Depends on Contrast
and Spatial Separation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 109
Robert Shapley and James Gordon
Experimental Methods ................................................ 109
Interpolated Contours and Signs of Local Contrast. ...................... 109
Spatial Integration of Contour Detectors ................................ III
The Nonlinear Border Detector ........................................ 113
Chapter 12 The Role of Illusory Contours in Visual Segmentation .................... 116
Stephen Grossberg and Ennio Mingolla
The Role of Illusory Contours in Visual Segmentation .................... 116
Dissociation Between Visible Contrasts and Recognized Groupings ........ 118
Hierarchical Resolution of the Boundary Uncertainty Induced by
Orientational Sensitivity .............................................. 119
Spatially Short-Range Competitive Interactions .......................... 119
Spatially Long-Range Cooperative Interactions .......................... 121
All Boundaries Are Invisible .......................................... 122
Computer Simulations of Boundary Segmentation by the CC Loop ........ 123
Related Concepts .................................................... 124
Chapter 13 The Relationship Between Spatial Filtering and Subjective Contours ....... 126
Arthur P. Ginsburg
Chapter 14 A Dynamic Model of Anomalous Figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Marco Sambin
Section 1: The Field Activation ........................................ 131
Section 2: The Field Gaps ............................................. 133
Section 3: The Intrafigural Polarizarion ................................. 136
Section 4: Interaction Between Activation, Inhomogeneities,
and Polarization ...................................................... 138
Concluding Remarks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Chapter 15 The Resonance Theory of Kinetic Shape Perception and the
Motion-Induced Contour .............................................. 143
Victor Klymenko and Naomi Weisstein
Perceptual Illusions and Confusions .................................... 143
The Motion-Induced Contour and Structure from Motion ................. 144
The Resonance Theory ............................................... 145
Perceptual Organization in Three Dimensions ........................... 146
The Edge of an Event ................................................ 147
Perceptual Ecology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Section IV Brightness and Spatial Factors ............................. 149
Chapter 16 An Object Perception Approach to Static and Kinetic
Subjective Contours .................................................. 151
Philip J. Kellman and Martha G. Loukides
Direct Tests of Brightness and Configural Factors ....................... 151
Subjective Figure Perception Across Space and Time: Kinetic Subjective
Contours and Related Phenomena ...................................... 155
x Contents
Prospects for an Object Perception Theory: The Identity of Subjective
Figure Perception and Ordinary Perception of Partly Occluded Objects .... 157
A Discontinuity Theory of Unit Formation in Subjective Figures
and Partly Occluded Objects .......................................... 160
Prospects and Problems for a Discontinuity Theory ...................... 162
Chapter 17 Subjective Contour Strength and Perceptual Superimposition:
Transparency as a Special Case. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Charles M. M. de Weert and Noud A. W. H. van Kruysbergen
Contrast and Assimilation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Experiment 1: Subjective Contour and Transparency ..................... 167
Experiment 2: Matching of Brightness Differences ....................... 168
Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 169
Chapter 18 The Functional Equivalence of Objective and Illusory Brightness
Enhancement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Diane F. Halpern
Report of the Research ........................................ . . . . . . . 172
Task 1: Relationship Between Illusory and Objective
Brightness Thresholds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Task 2: Comparison of the Small Square in the Double Configuration with
the Small Square Alone ............................................... 174
Discussion ........................................................... 175
Chapter 19 The Role of Illumination Level in the Strength of Subjective Contours ..... 176
Joel S. Warm, William N. Dember, Robert A. Padich,
John Beckner, and Scott Jones
A Comparison of Real and Subjective Contours ......................... 176
Two Experiments .................................................... 178
A Psychophysical Conundrum ......................................... 180
Theoretical Implications .............................................. 181
Chapter 20 Increment Thresholds in Illusory Contour Line Patterns .................. 183
Maxwell K. Jory
Increment Thresholds in Illusory Contour Patterns ....................... 184
Increment Thresholds in the Ehrenstein Pattern .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
A Physiological Basis of Illusory Contours? ............................. 188
Section V Time, Motion, and Reaction Time .......................... 191
Chapter 21 Time, Motion, and Objectness in Illusory Contours ...................... 193
Susan Petry and Robert Gannon
Microgenesis of Real and Illusory Contours ............................. 193
Some Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
General Discussion ................................................... 198
Speculations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Chapter 22 Cognitive Contours and Perceptual Organization ......................... 201
Drake R. Bradley
Contents xi
Chapter 23 The Current State of Research into Visual Phantoms ..................... 2 I3
William M. Maguire and James M. Brown
Phantoms and Lightness Relationships in Displays ....................... 214
Spatial and Temporal Properties of Phantoms ........................... 215
Figural Cues with Phantoms ........................................... 216
Mechanisms Underlying Phantoms ..................................... 217
Chapter 24 Amodal Completion and Illusory Figures:
An Information-Processing Analysis .................................... 220
Nicola Bruno and Walter Gerbino
The Co-occurrence of Completion and Illusory Figures ................... 220
Two Hypotheses on Completion and Illusory Figures .................... 220
An Information-Processing Analysis .................................... 221
Final Considerations .................................................. 222
Chapter 25 Illusory Contours, Texture Segregation, and a Configural
Inferiority Effect ..................................................... 224
Glenn E. Meyer and David Fish
Experiment 1 ........................................................ 225
Experiment 2 ........................................................ 227
Experiment 3 ........................................................ 227
Texture Segregation: Experiments 4 and 5 ...... ~ ....................... 230
General Discussion and Summary ...................................... 234
Section VI Illusory-Contour Appearance ...............................2 35
Chapter 26 Set and Subjective Contour ........................................... 237
Stanley Coren, Clare Porae, and Leonard H. Theodor
Physiological Theories ................................................ 237
Cognitive Theories ................................................... 237
Perceptual Set and Subjective Contours ................................ 239
Informal Evidence .................................................... 240
Experiment 1: Set and the Shape of Subjective Contours ................. 240
Experiment 2: An Indirect Measure .................................... 242
Cognitive Factors and Subjective-Contour Perception .................... 245
Chapter 27 Can We See Constructs? ............................................. 246
Walter Gerbino and Gaetano Kanizsa
The Place of Illusory Figures in Perceptual Theory ...................... 246
The Energetic vs. Informational Dichotomy ............................. 247
Retinoptic Constraints on Clarity and Shape ............................ 247
The "Meaning" of Color Changes ..................................... 250
We See Products, Not Constructs ...................................... 251
Chapter 28 Lo, Perception Abhors Not a Contradiction ............................. 253
John M. Kennedy
Subjective Contours and Disconfirming Evidence Coexist. ................ 253
Impressions of Unreality .............................................. 255
Why Are Subjective Contours Apparently Unreal? ....................... 258
xii Contents
Comparison with Geometrical IIIusi'ons ................................. 260
Perceptual Effects .................................................... 261
Chapter 29 The Perception of Illusory Contours: A Skills Analysis ................... 262
Angus Gellatly and Melanie Bishop
Perceptual Processing and Perceptual Skill .............................. 262
Effort, Automaticity, and Perceptual Skill. .............................. 265
Chapter 30 Perceptual Grouping and Subjective Contours ........................... 268
Barbara Gillam
Perceptual "Wholes" and Subjective Contours .......................... 268
When Collinearity Is Not Enough-Subjective Contours Delineating
Large Areas ......................................................... 269
The Importance of Amodal Completion ................................. 271
Conclusions ......................................................... 272
Chapter 31 Allusory Contours .................................................... 274
Nicholas Wade
References ......................................................................... 295
Author Index ....................................................................... 311
Subject Index ...................................................................... 315