Binocular vision: defining the historical directions.

Area of Science:

• Vision science
• Perceptual psychology

Background:

• The long-held belief that visual objects are perceived at their actual location originated with Kepler.
• This notion of visual veridicality has persisted despite contradictory predictions from Ptolemy, Alhazen, and Wells.
• British researchers like Porterfield, Brewster, and Wheatstone perpetuated this misconception in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Observation:

• Wells's 18th-century observations challenging visual veridicality were largely misunderstood and unappreciated.
• Historical research by Towne, Hering, and LeConte supported Wells's counter-veridicality predictions.
• Recent studies using novel methodologies provide further evidence supporting Wells's predictions.

Findings:

• New data confirm that perceived object location does not always correspond to actual location.
• A critical distinction is required between head-centric and relative direction tasks to understand visual perception.
• These findings challenge the traditional understanding of visual spatial representation.

Implications:

• Revising the fundamental understanding of visual spatial perception and egocentric localization.
• Highlighting the importance of historical scientific contributions that were initially overlooked.
• Informing future research on visual illusions and spatial disorientation.