Abstract
The Gestalt studies demonstrated the tendency to visually organize dots on the basis of similarity, proximity, and global properties such as closure, good continuation, and symmetry. The particular organization imposed on a collection of dots is thus determined by many factors, some local, some global. We discuss computational reasons for expecting the initial stages of grouping to be achieved by processes with purely local support. In the case of dot patterns, the expectation is that neighboring dots are grouped as a function of proximity and similarity of contrast, by processes that are independent of the overall organization and the various global factors. We describe experiments that suggest a purely local relationship between proximity and brightness similarity in perceptual grouping.
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Zucker, S.Early orientation selection and grouping: Evidence for type land type II processes (Technical Report 82–8). Montreal: McGill University, Department of Electrical Engineering, August 1982.
Stevens, K. A.Contours in dot patterns: Evidence and algorithms. Manuscript in preparation. (Available as M.I.T.A.I. Lab Memo 669, 19823
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This report describes research done at the Computer Vision and Robotics Laboratory, McGill University, and at the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Research at McGill University was supported by NSERC Grant A4470; the research at M.I.T. was supported by AFOSR and NSF Grant 79-23110MCS.
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Zucker, S.W., Stevens, K.A. & Sander, P. The relation between proximity and brightness similarity in dot patterns. Perception & Psychophysics 34, 513–522 (1983). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03205904
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03205904