Summary
The present study investigated the availability of information related to object identity and scene context during the initial stages of picture perception. Pictures were presented for 10, 30, 50, 75, 100, 150, 300, or 1000 ms and subjects were asked to determine if a probe was the portion of the scene which had appeared in that location. The probed sections had previously been rated on informativeness and high-, medium-, and low-rated areas were examined. Medium-informative sections were recognized better than high- or low-informative sections. A comparison of sections in the central and peripheral positions of the visual field indicated that medium-informative sections were recognized better in the periphery, while highly informative areas were recognized more accurately at central locations. These results are interpreted as supporting the concept that context develops prior to the identification of objects.
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Metzger, R.L., Antes, J.R. The nature of processing early in picture perception. Psychol. Res 45, 267–274 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00308706
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00308706