Monocular symmetry in binocular vision

Abstract

Human vision is highly sensitive to bilateral symmetry in 2-D images. It is, however, not clear yet whether this visual sensitivity relates to symmetry of 3-D objects or whether it relates to symmetry of the 2-D image itself. We used a stereoscopically presented stimulus and a 3-D bisection task that enable us to dissociate object symmetry from image symmetry. The bisection stimulus consisted of three parallel lines, of which two lines were located in one depth plane and the third line in another. Bisection judgments were different for horizontal and vertical lines, which can be explained by taking into account the distinct viewpoints of the left and right eyes for either of the visible sides of the 3-D object. Image symmetry from a monocular vantage point predicts 3-D bisection better than object symmetry. We conclude that observers use either of the two monocular 2-D images separately but not a single cyclopean view-nicely dovetailing with what they do when they assess both 3-D visual direction and 3-D shape-to assess 3-D symmetry.