Abstract
Visual objects are usually embedded within meaningful scenes. Previous work has shown that scene-based information can support perceptual object correspondence by providing causal explanations for abrupt changes in objects' features (e.g., Moore, Mordkoff, & Enns, 2007). The present study examines whether scene-based information can disrupt object correspondence by inducing conflict between scene-based information and object feature information. To this end, we employed the object-reviewing paradigm and manipulated the perceived illumination of the scene with the help of the checkershadow display (Adelson, 1995). Participants identified whether a probe on the object was same or different after the object had translated across the checkerboard through the shadow. In line with previous findings (e.g., Moore, Stephens, & Hein, 2010), we observed an object-specific preview benefit even when the object's surface luminance changed under the shadow to be consistent with the scene. In a critical condition, objects moved between differently illuminated areas on the checkerboard but without changing their luminance accordingly. Consequently, information provided at the object-feature level signaled object correspondence whereas information provided by the scene indicated an abrupt change in object lightness, which in turn should violate the perception of object correspondence. The abrupt change in perceived object lightness did not reduce the object-specific preview benefit. This suggests that consistent object-feature level information can overcome disruptive scene-level information for the maintenance of object correspondence.
Meeting abstract presented at VSS 2014