Abstract
Explanations of the Poggendorff effect were tested by varying the separation between outer parallels and by adding interior parallels. Error decreased with the addition of interior parallels, which can be explained by repulsion of parallels. A strong linear trend existed for judgmental error in millimeters plotted against separation between outer parallels. The nonzero intercept of a best-fit line and the slight nonlinearity of the data suggest a hypothesis of contour repulsion between parallels at moderate separations coupled with mistracking of the transversal across the region between parallels. Since the Poggendorff effect was independent of viewing distance, perceptual errors cannot be explained by purely peripheral mechanisms. A true intersection between transversal and parallel was the most critical feature of a display. Inverting a display increased the mean error.
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Support was provided by a United States Public Health Service Research Scientist Development Award (K2-MH-35,253) to Daniel J. Weintraub. Research funds were provided by National Science Foundation Grant GB 8181.
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Tong, L., Weintraub, D.J. Contour displacements and tracking errors: Probing ’twixt Poggendorff parallels. Perception & Psychophysics 15, 258–268 (1974). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03213942
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03213942