Document Detail


On the affine structure of perceptual space.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  11437300     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Affine geometry is a generalization of Euclidean geometry in which distance can be scaled along parallel directions, though relative distances in different directions may be incommensurable. This article presents a new procedure for testing the intrinsic affine structure of a psychological space by having subjects perform bisection judgments over multiple directions. If those judgments are internally consistent with one another, they must satisfy a theorem first proved by Pierre Varignon around 300 years ago. In the experiment reported here, this procedure was employed to measure the perceived structure of a visual ground surface. The results revealed that observers' judgments were systematically distorted relative to the physical environment, but that the judged bisections in different directions had an internally consistent affine structure. Implications of these findings for other possible response tasks are considered.
Authors:
J T Todd; A H Oomes; J J Koenderink; A M Kappers
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Psychological science     Volume:  12     ISSN:  0956-7976     ISO Abbreviation:  Psychol Sci     Publication Date:  2001 May 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2001-07-04     Completed Date:  2001-07-19     Revised Date:  2011-05-20    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9007542     Medline TA:  Psychol Sci     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  191-6     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210, USA. todd.44@osu.edu
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Humans
Judgment*
Mathematics*
Models, Theoretical
Psychophysics
Visual Perception*
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
R01-EY12432-01/EY/NEI NIH HHS

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


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