CONVERGENCE AS A DETERMINER OF PERCEIVED ABSOLUTE SIZE
Abstract
The possible relation between convergence and perceived absolute size was determined for convergence values of 4 degrees or less with accommodation held constant. Perceived absolute rather than perceived relative size was measured by having S reproduce kinesthetically the perceived size of the visual stimulus. The visual stimulus consisted of a stereoscopic object of constant angular size, the convergence to which was changed by E in discrete steps. From the results it seems that about half of the Ss perceived some change in size with a change in convergence. But, even with these Ss, the change was small and possibly can be attributed to comparisons between successive presentations. In general, the results of this study indicate the inadequancy of convergence as an effective cue to perceived absolute size. The sensitivity of the kinesthetic method of indicating perceived size was tested by comparing it with a visual method. The two methods were found to give similar measures of size constancy. The validity of the kinesthetic method was also indicated in that the addition of distance cues to a visually reduced situation resulted in a change in the kinesthetically measured size in the direction of object constancy. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 22, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0263259
Entities
People
- Walter C. Gogel
Organizations
- United States Army Medical Research Laboratory