Visual Space Perception: A Primer

This primer provides an overview of the principles of space perception in a handbook format that will appeal to researchers as well as students.

A renewed interest in the study of vision has attracted scholars from such diverse fields as neuroscience, computer science, mathematics, physics, and philosophy. At the same time, the development of imaging devices and popularization of stereoscopic effects has increased student interest in vision. Both groups require more depth than is available in undergraduate texts and more breadth than is usually available in handbooks.

This primer provides an overview of the principles of space perception in a handbook format that will appeal to researchers as well as students. Topics covered include geometrical and distal-proximal relationships, spatial localization, stereopsis, cyclopean perception, stimulus inadequacy, pictorial cues, perceived size and shape, Gibsonian psychophysics, lateral motion, motion in depth, perceived object motion, and motion detection.

Maurice Hershenson is the George and Frances Levin Professor of Psychology at Brandeis University.