Convergence responses to monocularly viewed objects: implications for distance perception.
In four experiments the role of dark vergence and the implied distance from the familiar-size and suggested-size cues to distance on the convergence response was investigated. A nonius-alignment technique was used to measure the convergence response in total darkness (dark vergence) and the fusion-free convergence response to monocularly viewed objects presented at a distance of 75 cm under otherwise reduced stimulus conditions. Observers also estimated the size and distance of the objects. The results indicated a significant association between individuals' dark-vergence distances and the convergence distances to the objects. Furthermore, the convergence response was influenced by the implied distance from the familiar-size cue but not by the implied distance from size suggestions. Both the familiar-size and the suggested-size cues influenced reports of distance. The implications of these findings for distance perception are discussed with particular reference to the familiar-size cue to distance.
Department of Psychology, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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D000328:Adult; D003290:Convergence, Ocular; D003463:Cues; D003623:Dark Adaptation; D004215:Distance Perception; D005260:Female; D005403:Fixation, Ocular; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual; D011601:Psychophysics; D012858:Size Perception; D015349:Vision, Monocular