Area and distance estimation of single and multiple stimuli

Abstract

The relative importance of single and multiple stimuli in the estimation of area and distance was examined in four experiments. The stimuli usually were black and white squares arranged in different frequencies, sizes and spacings to represent diverse observer-object distances. Magnitude estimation was used, and the results suggested that area estimates were not greatly effected by multiple stimuli, whereas distance estimates were more dependent upon observer and stimulus differences. The curve describing area estimates in three of the four experiments was negatively accelerated over the stimulus range. Most of the corresponding distance curves were positively accelerated. It was concluded that cues derived from multiple stimuli were subordinate to those based upon single stimulus changes.