The Primacy of Depth in Visual Perception.
Abstract
This report is a slightly edited version of an invited address (New Fellows Address) given by the writer at the national convention of the American Psychological Association in Los Angeles on August 28, 1981. The implications of several kinds of recent investigations of three-dimensional visual space perception are discussed, including investigations performed by the writer and his colleagues, and summarized in 'Contour Interaction in Visual Space.' The results of all investigations are interpreted as supporting the claim that the X Y Z position of objects in visual space is processed quite early by the visual system. This initial identification of the loci of objects in space serves to control subsequent analysis of the characteristics of those objects. This interpretation supports a general theory of visual space perception that assumes there is an internal, continuous representation of visual space within the visual system. This representation is assumed to be an intrinsic hardwired characteristic of that system. Conversely, support is not given to an alternative general theory of space perception that assumes depth information is processed relatively late in the visual system by an analysis of specific cues to distances, cues which acquire their significance gradually by repeated exposure to the environment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA108355
Entities
People
- Robert Fox
Organizations
- Vanderbilt University