Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2026

Alignment of Visible-Light Optical Coherence Tomography Fibergrams with Confocal Images of the Same Mouse Retina
Published on: June 30, 2023
Who owns the contour of a visual hole?
1Psychology Department, University of Liverpool, UK. M.Bertamini@liverpool.ac.uk
Abstract:
Holes are useful in the study of shape, contour curvature, and border ownership. Several authors have suggested that holes have figural or quasi-figural status. I discuss three criteria to test the evidence that holes behave more like figures than like ground: (i) holes perceived as such; (ii) similar performance for holes and figures; (iii) different performance for holes and other ground regions. Using these criteria, I review the literature and conclude that holes do not have figural status in relation to border ownership. I also argue that holes are ideal stimuli to study figure-ground organisation.
Related Concept Videos
Curvature and Its Interpretation
Topographic Surveying and Contours
Depth Perception and Spatial Vision
Level Curves and Contour Maps
Sight Distance in a Vertical Curve
Design Example: Marking Boundaries of a Site Using a Compass

