Perception of size and lightness of human observers: two criteria for holistic and analytic processing show no...

Results of a triad-classification task and a multidimensional-scaling (MDS) experiment are compared for individual observers. Both paradigms are designed to reveal whether stimuli are perceived in a holistic or analytic manner (Garner 1974). Subjects differed substantially and consistently in their triad classification pattern. The majority of subjects selected stimuli according to dimensional criteria; this classification type is thought to indicate an analytic stimulus processing. Approximately one third of subjects, however, used a classification according to overall similarity (indicating holistic processing). Except for the very first session, virtually no intermediate classification occurred. This clear separation into two classification types suggests that there actually exist two strongly preferred processing modes. Intraindividual variability between sessions in general was small. In one case, however, a spontaneous switching from a purely dimensional classification to a purely similarity classification occurred. This indicates that the observers have different processing options at their disposal, and are not forced to use a particular processing mode by the stimulus type--as has been supposed in the original concept of integrality/separability of stimuli (Garner 1974). In the MDS experiment also substantial interindividual differences in the "best-fitting" Minkowski metric were found, indicating different processing types. However, for individuals participating in both experiments, there was no correlation between the results of the two experimental paradigms. This is interpreted as a result of the subject's ability to choose between a few perceptual-processing options.