Abstract
Several experiments investigated the influence of a tilted luminous frame on the rod and frame effect (RFE) and on adjustments of the head to apparent vertical, while observation distance to the frame was varied between 1 and 5 m. Comparisons of repeated measures from the same subjects as well as between independent groups showed that distance was a highly effective variable. Both the RFE and the apparent head tilt varied inversely with distance to the frame, diminishing Lo zero at about 5 m. Since head settings were in the direction of the tilted frame, the latter may be inferred to have caused an induced head tilt (IHT) opposite in direction to the tilted frame, when the head was objectively upright. Issues discussed were the role of IHT in the RFE and factors underlying the role of distance in both phenomena.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Beh, H. C., Wenderoth, P. M., &Purcell.A. T. The angular function of a rod-and-frame illusion.Perception & Psychophysics, 1971.9. 353–355.
Brosgole, L., &Cristal, R. M. The role of phenomenal displacement on the perception of the visual upright.Perception & Psychophysics, 1967,2, 179–188.
Ebenholtz.S. M. Perceplion of the recital with body tilt in the median plane.Journal of Experimental Psychology. 1970.83. 1–6.
Ebenholtz, S. M. The constancies in object orientation: An algorithm processing approach. In W. Epstein (Ed.),Stability and constancy in visual perception: Mechanisms and processes. New York: Wiley, 1977.
Gogel, W. C, &Newton, R. E. Depth adjacency and the rod-and-frame illusion.Perception & Psychophysics. 1975,18. 163–171.
Grant.D. A. The statistical analysis of a frequent experimental design.American Journal of Psychology. 1949,62, 119–122.
Gupta, G. C, Effect of laleral body tilts and visual frames on perception of the apparent vertical.Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1973.100. 162–167.
Held.R..Dichgans, J., &Bauer, J. Characteristics of moving visual scenes influencing spatial orientation.Vision Research, 1975,15. 357–365.
Howard, I. P., &Templeton.W. B.Human spatial orientation. New York: Wiley, 1966.
Koffka.K.principles of gestalt psychology. New York: Harcourt. Brace. 1935.
Long, G. M. Reported correlates of perceptual style: A review of the field dependency-independency dimension.Journal Supplement Abstract Service Catalog of Selected Documents in Psychology. 1974,4. 1–82, Ms. No. 540.
Passey, G. E. The perception of the vertical. IV. Adjustment to the vertical with normal and tilted visual frames of reference.Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1950.40. 738–745.
Rock, I.An introduction to perception. New York: Macmillan. 1975.
Templeton, W. B. The role of gravitational cues in the judgment of visual orientation.Perception & Psychophysics, 1973.14, 451–457.
Wenderoth, P. M. The distinction between the rod-and-frame illusion and the rod-and-frame test.Perception, 1974,3. 205–212.
Witkin, H. A. Perception of body position and of the position of the field.Psychological Monographs, 1949,63(7, Whole No. 302).
Witkin.H. A., &Asch, S. E, Studies in space orientation. IV. Further experiments on perception of the upright with displaced visual fields.Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1948,38, 762–782.
Witkin, H. A., &Oltman, P. K. Cognitive style. InternationalJournal of Neurology, 1967,6, 119–137.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This research was supported in part by NIMH Grant MHI3006. Porlions of the present paper were reported at the meetings of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, 1976.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ebenholtz, S.M., Benzschawel, T.L. The rod and frame effect and induced head tilt as a function of observation distance. Perception & Psychophysics 22, 491–496 (1977). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03199516
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03199516