Changes in highest luminance of the backgrounds do affect the lightness of targets in Simultaneous Lightness Contrast

Authors

  • Rafaela - Argyri Tsouvalou University of Crete
  • Elias Economou University of Crete

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26248/eleutherna.v8i0.91

Keywords:

lightness perception, Simultaneous Lightness Contrast, Anchoring theory, grouping, visual illusions

Abstract

The Anchoring theory of lightness account for Simultaneous Lightness Contrast is based on calculations performed within the local groups of the targets with their respective backgrounds.  Because the highest luminance is different in those groups, the illusion emerges.  However recently Maniatis (2015) has claimed that equalizing the highest luminance in the two groups does not affect the illusion.

We tested this claim by having observers match the lightness of the targets in a standard and 3 variants of the SLC illusion in which we placed lines of different width on the two backgrounds (white stripes on the black background and black stripes on the white).

Our results strongly suggest that changing the highest luminance of the backgrounds in SLC defines the size of the illusion. These results are taken to support the explanation provided by Anchoring Theory.

Author Biographies

Rafaela - Argyri Tsouvalou, University of Crete

Psychology student, Lab. of Experimental Psychology, Dept. Psychology, University of Crete

Elias Economou, University of Crete

Assistant Professor, Lab. of Experimental Psychology, Dept. Psychology, University of Crete

ELEYTHERNA ΤΟΜΟΣ ΟΓΔΟΟΣ / VOLUME VΙΙI

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Published

2017-12-20

How to Cite

Tsouvalou, R. .-. A., & Economou, E. (2017). Changes in highest luminance of the backgrounds do affect the lightness of targets in Simultaneous Lightness Contrast. ELEUTHERNA, 8, 223–236. https://doi.org/10.26248/eleutherna.v8i0.91

Issue

Vol. 8 (2016): ΤΟΜΟΣ ΟΓΔΟΟΣ / VOLUME VΙΙI

Section

Articles

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