Influence of flicker on perceived size and depth

Area of Science:

• Visual perception
• Psychophysics
• Sensory processing

Background:

• Flickering stimuli are perceived as more distant than non-flickering stimuli.
• Constancy scaling theories predict larger perceived size for flickering stimuli.
• Links between flicker and motion perception suggest smaller perceived size.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test contrasting predictions regarding the perceived size of flickering stimuli.
• To investigate the relationship between flicker, perceived depth, and perceived size.
• To evaluate the validity of constancy scaling theories in explaining flicker-induced size perception.

Main Methods:

• Two experiments were conducted with human subjects.
• Experiment 1 involved comparing perceived size of flickering and non-flickering vertical lines.
• Experiment 2 confirmed perceived depth effects of flickering stimuli.

Main Results:

• Flickering stimuli were perceived as significantly smaller than non-flickering stimuli.
• Perceived depth effects aligned with previous research, with flickering stimuli appearing more distant.
• Observed size perception contradicted constancy scaling predictions.

Conclusions:

• The perceived size of flickering stimuli is smaller, not larger, than non-flickering stimuli.
• Findings challenge inappropriate constancy scaling theories.
• Results support the view that motion and flicker share common processing pathways.