Interactive Size Constancy Figure

Size constancy is dependent upon the depth perceived in the images. Thus, by adding and removing depth cues, we out to be able change the perceived size (Holway and Boring, 1941). This exercise will allow you to add and remove three depth cues in any combination to see what effect they have on the perceived size of two of the people from the other photographs. The depth cues that are present in the figure have a check in the box before their name. The depth cues that are absent from the figure do not have the box checked. To add or remove a depth cue, simply click name of the depth cue.

Depth Cues Used (with a link to a page that gives some explanatory information):

Depth Cue	When Present:	When Absent:
Relative Size	The two figures are the same size as the original photograph. The nearer figure is larger.	The two figures are exactly the same size.
Relative Height	The farther figure feet land higher on the image.	The two figures have their feet at the same level on the image.
Texture Gradient *	There is a background texture present.	This background texture is absent.

* In the natural world you cannot have a texture gradient without also having relative height present. However, in these images, the texture gradient will be treated solely as part of the background without affecting the foreground images in any way.

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Reference:

Holoway, A. H., & Boring, E. G. (1941). Determinants of apparent visual size with distance variant. American Journal of Psychology, 54, 21-37.