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The visual perception of long outdoor distances
J Farley Norman1, Jessica L Lewis2, Alejandro B Ramirez2
1Department of Psychological Sciences, Ogden College of Science and Engineering, Western Kentucky University, 1906 College Heights Blvd. #22030, Bowling Green, Kentucky, 42101-2030, USA. farley.norman@wku.edu.
Scientific Reports
|February 9, 2024
Summary
Human visual perception of large outdoor distances often compresses actual distances, making them seem shorter. However, individual differences in perception accuracy are significant, meaning no single model fits all observers.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Visual Perception
- Environmental Psychology
Background:
- Previous research on visual distance perception primarily focused on small to moderate distances.
- Studies on large distance perception (100m+) yielded conflicting results, necessitating further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the visual perception of large distances in an outdoor environment.
- To determine the relationship between actual and perceived distances for extended intervals.
- To identify potential individual differences in large distance perception.
Main Methods:
- Employed the method of equal appearing intervals to obtain distance perception functions.
- Utilized sixteen adult observers for the experiment.
- Conducted the study outdoors along a university sidewalk with typical environmental cues.
Main Results:
- Overall results showed perceptual compression, with perceived distances being significantly shorter than actual distances.
- Substantial individual differences were observed; half of the observers judged distances accurately, while the other half showed varying degrees of inaccuracy.
- No single function accurately described all observers' perception of large outdoor distances.
Conclusions:
- Human visual perception of large outdoor distances is subject to compression.
- Significant individual variability exists in judging large distances, challenging a universal perceptual model.
- Future research should account for individual differences in understanding large-scale distance perception.
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