Visual images preserve metric spatial information: Evidence from studies of image scanning.

Authors:
  • SKStephen M. Kosslyn
    Stephen M. Kosslyn
  • TBThomas M. Ball
    Thomas M. Ball
  • BRBrian J. Reiser
    Brian J. Reiser
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Four experiments demonstrated that more time is required to scan further distances across visual images, even when the same amount of material falls between the initial focus point and the target. Not only did times systematically increase with distance but subjectively larger images required more time to scan than did subjectively smaller ones. Finally, when subjects were not asked to base all judgments on examination of their images, the distance between an initial focus point and a target did not affect reaction times.