Distance perception across spatial discontinuities

Abstract

We investigated the use of nested contact relations in perceiving the relative distance of locations on discontinuous surfaces. Observers viewed computer-generated displays under monocular static conditions and adjusted a marker to match the perceived distance of a cube. The marker and cube were raised above the ground by two different platforms separated by a gap. The relative heights and distances of the platforms were varied. We found the following: (1) When spatially discontinuous surfaces are coplanar, locations of objects resting on these surfaces appear to be compared directly, bypassing relations with the underlying ground plane. (2) Spatial displacement between the platforms produces a bias, in the direction of the displacement, in the perceived relative locations of objects resting on the platforms. This suggests that local spatial relations between objects and their platforms are only partially integrated with more global spatial relations between the discontinuous surfaces of the platforms.