Contour grouping: closure effects are explained by good continuation and proximity

Vision Research
Tal TverskyJeffrey S Perry

Abstract

Previous experimental studies have provided evidence that closed contours are easier to detect than open contours in random-element displays, and previous theoretical studies have shown that these effects might be explained by an active neural mechanism (e.g., a "reverberating neural circuit") sensitive to closure. To test this hypothesis, detection thresholds were measured in five experiments designed to control for the effects of uncertainty, eccentricity, and element density. In four of the experiments, we found that closed contours were no easier to detect than open contours, and in the remaining experiment the effects were consistent with the predictions of probability summation. Thus, we could find no evidence for an active neural mechanism that enhances detectability of closed contours more than open contours, although some form of closure mechanism may play a significant role in image interpretation.

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Citations

Nov 13, 2008·Cognitive Neurodynamics·Jean-Christophe SarrazinMarie-Dominique Giraudo
Feb 17, 2009·Visual Neuroscience·Wilson S Geisler, Jeffrey S Perry
Nov 22, 2011·Behavior Research Methods·Maarten Demeyer, Bart Machilsen
May 28, 2014·Developmental Psychobiology·D HippPeter Gerhardstein
Jul 2, 2015·Vision Research·Bart MachilsenMaarten Demeyer
Jul 19, 2008·Acta Psychologica·Daniele Zavagno, Olga Daneyko
Mar 26, 2015·Frontiers in Human Neuroscience·Stephen JachimEmma Gowen
Dec 17, 2009·Trends in Cognitive Sciences·Uri HassonDavid J Heeger
Sep 4, 2012·Vision Research·Peter GerhardsteinAlecia Moser
Oct 28, 2015·Vision Research·John WilderManish Singh
Dec 21, 2007·Vision Research·Thomas J BakerScott A Adler
Feb 9, 2007·Vision Research·Birgit Mathes, Manfred Fahle
Jul 30, 2014·Frontiers in Psychology·Gemma TaylorPeter Gerhardstein
Nov 22, 2014·Frontiers in Psychology·Lars Strother, Danila Alferov
Jun 10, 2015·PloS One·Malte Persike, Günter Meinhardt
Jun 8, 2012·Perception·Patrick Garrigan
Jan 1, 2010·I-Perception·Michaël SassiJohan Wagemans
Jan 1, 2011·Perception·Patrick Garrigan, Philip J Kellman
Jan 1, 2012·I-Perception·Michaël SassiJohan Wagemans
Sep 18, 2018·Annual Review of Vision Science·James H Elder
Nov 21, 2018·Journal of Vision·James H ElderIngo Fruend
Nov 19, 2019·The International Journal of Health Planning and Management·Alipio Gusmão LopesDavid Briggs
Jan 1, 2015·Neuroscience of Consciousness·Michele A Cox, Alexander Maier
Mar 17, 2021·Journal of Vision·Christina M FunkeMatthias Bethge

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