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How we compare areas: The underlying mechanism of the elongation bias
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

How we compare areas: The underlying mechanism of the elongation bias

Dongeun Kim, Dhananjay Nayakankuppam and Catherine Cole
Journal of vision (Charlottesville, Va.), Vol.23(8), 7
08/04/2023
DOI: 10.1167/jov.23.8.7
PMCID: PMC10408766
PMID: 37540178
url
https://doi.org/10.1167/jov.23.8.7View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Across four experiments, we investigate the mechanism that underlies the elongation bias. We find individuals tasked with assessing the area of two objects do so by comparing the objects’ dimensions, and thus subtle changes in the objects’ dimensions can impact area assessments. Because a typical elongation bias experiment places two objects side-by-side horizontally and varies the elongation ratio while maintaining the same area, height is generally easier to compare than width. Thus, there will exist a region where the change in height noticeably crosses a perceptual just noticeable difference boundary, but the corresponding change in width does not, and individuals will tend to perceive that the taller object has a greater area or volume. Consistent with this proposed process, we suggest that, although the elongation bias occurs under a comparative judgment, it does not do so under a single judgment situation. This research contributes to our wider understanding of the visual processes underlying area comparisons.
area comparison elongation bias just noticeable difference perception visual processing

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