Effects of symmetry, texture, and monocular viewing on geographical slant estimation

Hills often appear to be steeper than they are. The unusual magnitude of this error has prompted extensive experimentation. The judgment mode, such as verbal vs. action-based measures, the state of the observer - whether exhausted or well rested - all can influence perceived geographical slant. We hold that slant perception is inherently shaky as soon as the slope in question is no longer palpable, that is if it is outside our personal space. To make this point, we have added symmetry, texture, and depression to the list of factors that might modulate slant perception. When the frontal slope of a hill is to be judged, it appears steeper when the side slopes are steep. We have used model hills close to the subject. Their slopes were judged most accurately when binocular stereoscopic vision was permitted. When closing one eye, observers grossly overestimated all slopes. This error was larger for verbal judgments than for judgments made by indicating the slope with their forearm, however, the pattern of the overestimation remained unchanged. Surface texture mattered surprisingly little. Depressed subjects produced exactly the same results as healthy controls. We conclude that in action space and in vista space (outside immediate personal space), slopes are overestimated because the visual system attempts to turn the 2D retinal stimulus into a regular 3D object, akin to the erection tendency (Aufrichtungstendenz) found in diminished or 2D-stimuli. This tendency is inherently instable and can be swayed by a large number of variables.