Effect of Turbidity on Judgments of Distance Underwater

Abstract

Judgments of the distance of an underwater target at various locations were obtained as a function of water-clarity. When the target was close to S, its distance was underestimated. Judgments changed to overestimation as the actual physical distance was increased. Estimates were invariably greater in turbid water than in clear water. These data resolve the apparent conflict between expectations from optical considerations and actual distance estimates made in natural waters.