Priming spatial layout of scenes

Observers responded to full-color images of scenes by indicating which of two critical objects was closer in the pictorial space. These target images were preceded by prime images of the same scene sans critical objects, or by control primes or different-scene primes. Reaction times were faster following same-scene primes than following the various control and different-scene primes. Same-scene facilitation was obtained with color primes, line-drawing primes, and primes with shifted views. The effect occurred with natural scenes having gist and simple artificial scenes having little or no gist. The results indicate that prime-induced representations influence the perception of spatial layout in pictures.
Theories of perception and cognition aim to explain how observers perceive objects and surfaces, and their spatial relations within the natural environment. Object identification is thought to be mediated partly be mental representations of shape. In experiments observers responded to full-color images by indicating which of the objects was closer. Same-scene primes produced faster reaction times. The results show that prime-induced representations have an effect on the perception of spatial layout in scenes.