The Effect of Context on Perceived Depth
Abstract
Much of the research on stereopsis, which refers to the perception of relative depth, has been devoted to the testing of hypotheses derived from the geometrical relationships intrinsic to stereoscopic depth perception. Factors not given directly by geometric considerations, yet which may affect stereoscopic depth relationships, have received less attention. This report concerns one such factor, namely the effect of context on the perceived depth positions of stereoscopic forms. Data do exist that suggest the perceived depth position of one stimulus can be influenced by the apparent depth positions of other stimuli. But such an effect has been obtained only under viewing conditions in which many of the cues to distance and depth are absent. In the present study, however, the effect of a large enveloping form on the perceived depth position of a smaller surrounded (test) form was examined when all cues for veridical distance and depth were present. The forms, which were contours formed from dynamic random-element stereograms, were combined factorially in 36 experimental conditions: four levels of context, three viewing distances, and three levels of disparity value. Perceived depth did vary as a function of viewing distance and disparity value in accord with the geometry of stereoscopic space, but not as a function of context.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA117444
Entities
People
- Arthur Menendez
- Robert Fox
- Robert Patterson
Organizations
- Vanderbilt University