Underestimation of length by subjects in motion.

Perceptual and Motor Skills
D B Harte

Abstract

To check a prior observation, in the present experiment, subjects made estimates of the lengths of both the guidelines and the spaces between guidelines on automotive highways so the magnitude of the illusion could be more accurately determined. Ten males and ten females were individually tested at 0 and 60 mph. At 60 mph, spaces were estimated with an error of 85%; lines were estimated with an error of 72%. Combining data for both stimuli, an error of 78% results, which corresponds to underestimation by a factor of 4.67. This illusory effect is considerably greater than that of the moon illusion, considered by many the most powerful of the classical illusions.

References

Jun 1, 1973·Perceptual and Motor Skills·M S Lindauer
Jun 1, 1967·Perceptual and Motor Skills·S M LuriaS Weissman
Nov 1, 1968·Scientific American·R L Gregory
Dec 1, 1955·Journal of Experimental Psychology·J PURDY, E J GIBSON
Apr 1, 1963·Journal of Experimental Psychology·N I HARWAY
Jul 1, 1962·Scientific American·L KAUFMAN, I ROCK

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Citations

Aug 1, 1976·Human Factors·D B Harte, M R Harte

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