Document Detail


Gestalt factors modulate basic spatial vision.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20483840     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Human perception of a stimulus varies depending on the context in which the stimulus is presented. Such contextual modulation has often been explained by two basic neural mechanisms: lateral inhibition and spatial pooling. In the present study, we presented observers with a vernier stimulus flanked by single lines; observers' ability to discriminate the offset direction of the vernier stimulus deteriorated in accordance with both explanations. However, when the flanking lines were part of a geometric shape (i.e., a good Gestalt), this deterioration strongly diminished. These findings cannot be explained by lateral inhibition or spatial pooling. It seems that Gestalt factors play an important role in contextual modulation. We propose that contextual modulation can be used as a quantitative measure to investigate the rules governing the grouping of elements into meaningful wholes.
Authors:
B Sayim; G Westheimer; M H Herzog
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't     Date:  2010-04-12
Journal Detail:
Title:  Psychological science     Volume:  21     ISSN:  1467-9280     ISO Abbreviation:  Psychol Sci     Publication Date:  2010 May 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-05-20     Completed Date:  2010-09-30     Revised Date:  2011-05-20    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9007542     Medline TA:  Psychol Sci     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  641-4     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Psychophysics, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland. bilge.sayim@epfl.ch
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Attention*
Depth Perception
Female
Gestalt Theory*
Humans
Inhibition (Psychology)
Male
Optical Illusions*
Orientation*
Pattern Recognition, Visual*
Perceptual Masking
Psychophysics
Young Adult

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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