Perception is unreliable because the retinal image cannot unambiguously specify 3D shape. For example, the picture of a crater is perceived as a hill if the picture is inverted.
This dramatic perceptual shift happens because, although visual systems assume that light can come from any direction, some directions are more favoured or probable.
The amount of favour assigned to each direction defines a prior probability distribution. We describe a method for obtaining a non-parametric estimated prior, and find that observers favour directions to the left of overhead.
This method could be used for priors of speed, colour, or even faces.
Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Proceedings B is the Royal Society’s flagship biological research journal, dedicated to the rapid publication and broad dissemination of high-quality research papers, reviews and comment and reply papers. The scope of the journal is diverse and is especially strong in organismal biology.
Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences