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Apparent depth of pictures reflected by a mirror: the plastic effect
Atsuki Higashiyama1, Koichi Shimono
1Department of Psychology, Ritsumeikan University, Tojiin-kitamachi, Kita-ku, Kyoto, Japan. achan@lt.ritsumei.ac.jp
Attention, Perception & Psychophysics
|July 14, 2012
Summary
The plastic effect enhances perceived picture depth when viewed in a mirror, with 73% of observers preferring reflected images. This visual illusion strengthens over time and shows transfer, suggesting perceptual learning.
Area of Science:
- Visual Perception
- Psychophysics
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- The plastic effect, an increase in apparent picture depth via mirror reflection, was historically noted but poorly understood.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated the mechanisms behind this perceptual phenomenon.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of the plastic effect under various viewing conditions.
- To explore the temporal dynamics and transfer properties of the plastic effect in visual perception.
Main Methods:
- Experiment 1: Assessed plastic effect occurrence across free-binocular, free-monocular, and restrictive-monocular conditions.
- Experiment 2: Measured plastic effect detection over a 5-minute observation period for movies.
- Experiment 3: Examined the transfer of the plastic effect to directly viewed pictures after exposure to reflected images.
Main Results:
- 73% of observers favored reflected pictures for greater apparent depth across oculomotor conditions.
- Plastic effect detection increased from 55% at trial onset to 86% by the end of a 5-minute movie comparison.
- Transfer of the plastic effect was confirmed, correlating positively with the depth represented in the pictures (r = .88).
Conclusions:
- The plastic effect is primarily driven by the perceived double locations of reflected images.
- Evidence of long incubation and transfer suggests the plastic effect involves perceptual learning and adaptation of visual skills.
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