Urban experience alters lightness perception

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Linnell, Karina J; Bremner, Andrew J.; Caparos, S.; Davidoff, Jules B. and De Fockert, J. W.. 2018. Urban experience alters lightness perception. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 44(1), pp. 2-6. ISSN 0096-1523 [Article]

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Official URL: http://psycnet.apa.org/record/2017-58651-002

Abstract or Description

We present the first empirical evidence that experience alters lightness perception. The role of experience in lightness perception was investigated through a cross-cultural comparison of two visual contrast phenomena: simultaneous lightness contrast and White’s illusion. The Himba, a traditional semi-nomadic group known to have a local bias in perception, showed enhanced simultaneous lightness contrast but reduced White’s illusion compared to groups which have a more global perceptual style: Urban-dwelling Himba and Westerners. Thus, experience of the urban environment alters lightness perception and we argue it does this by fostering the tendency to integrate information from across the visual scene.

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Article

Identification Number (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1037/xhp0000498