The disappearance of real and subjective contours.

Abstract

The disappearance characteristics of luminous designs were studied in three experiments. The stimuli were geometric forms set off by either real or subjective contours. Subjective-contour forms fragmented more often and in a manner qualitatively different from that of forms created with real contours. Previewing a real-contour form increased the subsequent fragmentation of that form, but no adaptation effects were noted among forms created with subjective contours, and there was no cross-contour adaptation. These results are interpreted as inconsistent with the position that subjective contours result from the partial activation of feature-analyzer mechanisms in the visual system.