The time course of perceptual grouping: the role of segregation and shape formation.
The time course of perceptual grouping was examined in two experiments, using a primed matching task. In different conditions, elements were grouped into columns/rows by common lightness, into a shape (triangle/ arrow or square/cross) by common lightness, and into a shape without segregation of elements. The results showed an early and rapid grouping into columns/rows by common lightness and into a shape when no segregation from other elements was involved. Goodness of shape (i.e., triangle/arrow vs. square/cross) had no influence on how early grouping was evident, but the relatively poorer shapes appeared to consolidate with time. In contrast, grouping into a shape that involved segregation and required resolving figure-ground relations between segregated units, as grouping into a shape by common lightness, consumed time, regardless of shape goodness. These results suggest that the time course of grouping varies as a function of the processes involved in it (e.g., segregation and shape formation) and the conditions prevailing for each process.
Razpurker-Apfeld
Irene
I
University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
Kimchi
Ruth
R
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005556:Form Perception; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011930:Reaction Time; D013998:Time Perception