Subjective Contours Independent of Subjective Brightness
Abstract
Two theories of subjective contours are distinguished according to the interrelationship of subjective contours and subjective brightness effects. In one view, subjective contours are illusory brightness gradients generated from grouped local brightness effects. In another view, subjective contours are the edges of subjective forms created on the basis of gestalt factors; subjective brightness is a secondary consequence of form perception. Two experiments which use rating scales to separate judgments of subjective contour and subjective brightness are presented. The first shows that subjects may judge contour to be strong when there is no subjective brightness gradient. In the second, gestalt grouping factors are shown to be more important than factors which should influence brightness according to local effects theories. Both experiments support the view that subjective brightness occurs through interactions at the level of form perception.
Department
Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping
Publication Date
9-1981
Volume
29, Issue 5
Journal Title
Perception and Psychophysics
Pages
500-504
Publisher
Springer
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.3758/BF03207364
Document Type
Journal Article
Recommended Citation
C. Ware, "Subjective contours independent of subjective brightness," Perception & Psychophysics, vol. 29, no. 5, pp. 500–504, Sep. 1981.