Spatial configuration modulates perceptual transparency from dymamic image deformation

[摘要] A recent study has proved that dynamic image deformation can contribute to perceptual transparency (Kawabe, Maruya, & Nishida, 2015, PNAS). It is well known that spatial configuration cues such as contour junctions regulates traditional phenomenal transparency. The present study reports that such spatial configuration is also a critical factor to modulate perceptual transparency from dynamic image deformation. Our stimulus image contained the arrays of ring-like objects. The image was vertically divided into three regions consisting of a central deforming region in which the ring-like objects were dynamically deformed with a fixed spatiotemporal frequency, and two peripheral undeforming regions wherein the objects were presented intact. When both deforming and undeforming regions were presented, the observers reported the strong impression of a transparent layer. On the other hand, the impression was significantly attenuated when only a central deforming region was presented. We also found that the spatial continuity of object contours between the deforming and undeforming regions played a critical role in seeing the transparent layer; hindering the continuity reduced the impression. Finally, when the contrast polarity of objects was modulated so that the traditional perceptual transparency was weakened, the impression of a transparent layer from image deformation was also weakened albeit under the existence of peripheral undeforming regions. Taken together, our results suggest that perceptual transparency from image deformation is enhanced by spatial configuration of stimuli when the configuration provides the evidence that spatial structure of a continuous scene/object is modulated by an intervention of a transparent material. In addition, the results that perceptual transparency from luminance contour junction influenced the interpretation of perceptual transparency from image deformation suggest that interaction between two sorts of perceptual transparency takes place at some levels of visual processing.

[学科分类] 眼科学