Visual Inter-Attribute Contour Completion

Abstract

A new visual phenomenon, inter-attribute illusory (completed) contours, is demonstrated. Contour completions are perceived between any combination of spatially separate pairs of inducing elements (Kanizsa-like ‘pacman’ figures) defined either by pictorial cues (luminance contrast or offset gratings), temporal contrast (motion, second-order-motion or ‘phantom’ contours), or binocular-disparity contrast. In a first experiment, observers reported the perceived occurrence of contour completion for all pair combinations of inducing elements. In a second experiment they rated the perceived clarity of the completed contours. Both methods generated similar results—contour completions were perceived even though the inducing elements were defined by different attributes. Ratings of inter-attribute clarity were no lower than in either of the two corresponding intra-attribute conditions and seem to be the average of these two ratings. The results provide evidence for the existence of attribute-invariant Gestalt processes, and on a mechanistic level indicate that the completion process operates on attribute-invariant contour detectors.