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Depth Perception

Current Research/future Developments

In sum, while environmental cues, binocular vision, and physiological aspects of the nervous system can account for many aspects of depth perception, numerous questions remain. Advances in understanding the physiological basis of vision have been great since the 1950s and this has greatly influenced research and theorizing in perception in general, and depth perception in particular. Researchers are eagerly looking at the structure of the nervous system to see if it might explain further aspects of depth perception. In particular, researchers continue to explore the possibility that additional fine tuned detector cells may exist that respond to specific visual stimuli. Finally, some psychologists have begun using certain basic principles of associative learning theory to explain a number of well-known yet poorly understood elements of perceptual learning. Both of these approaches show great potential for furthering our understanding of many processes in perception.

Resources

Books

Coren, S., L.M. Ward, and J.T. Enns. Sensation and Perception. 4th Ed. Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1994.

Masin, S.C., ed. Foundations of Perceptual Theory. New York: Elvesier Science, Inc., 1993.

Ono, T., et al., eds. Brain Mechanisms of Perception and Memory: From Neuron to Behavior. New York: Oxford University Press, 1993.

Schiffman, H.R. Sensation and Perception: An Integrated Approach. 3rd Ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1990.


Marie Doorey

KEY TERMS


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Accommodation

—Changes in the curvature of the eye lens to form sharp retinal images of near and far objects.

Aerial-perspective

—A monocular visual cue referring to how objects with sharp and clear images appear nearer than objects with blurry or unclear images.

Binocular cues

—Visual cues that require the coordinated use of both eyes.

Convergence

—The tendency of the eyes to rotate toward each other in a coordinated manner in order to focus effectively on nearby objects.

Elevation

—A monocular visual cue referring to an object's placement in relation to the horizon.

Interposition

—A monocular cue referring to how when objects appear to partially block or overlap with each other, the fully visible object is perceived as being nearer.

Linear perspective

—A monocular depth cue involving the apparent convergence of parallel lines in the distance, as well as the perceived decrease in the size of objects and the space between them with increasing distance from the observer.

Monocular cues

—Visual cues that one eye alone can perceive.

Motion parallax

—The perception of objects moving at different speeds relative to their distance from the observer.

Retina

—An extremely light-sensitive layer of cells at the back part of the eyeball. Images formed by the lens on the retina are carried to the brain by the optic nerve.

Stereoscopic vision

—The unified three-dimensional view of objects produced when the two slightly different images of objects on the two retinas are fused into one.

Texture gradient

—A monocular visual cue referring to how changes in an object's perceived surface texture indicate distance from the observer and changes in direction of the object.

Additional topics

Science EncyclopediaScience & Philosophy: Dependency - The Intellectual Roots Of Dependency Thinking to Dirac equationDepth Perception - Retinal Disparity And Stereopsis, Development Of Depth Perception, Current Research/future Developments - Monocular cues, Binocular cues, Auditory depth cues