We know the visual system is one of the body’s most important systems. The visual system makes a mental representation of the world around us and allows us to be more spatially aware. This helps us represent our environment in a constructed way and then facilitate interaction with that environment through the benefits of its representation. But how does the visual system represent such shapes and figures in the mental space? Often the answers we know leave much to be desired. Some shapes as seen by recent research actually have preference within our visual system and there is still more being done to research how neural mechanisms are used for shape representation.
The Baker et al. study "Constant Curvature Segments as Building Blocks of 2D Shape Representation", uses experimental data that overviews the visual system and shapes in a variety of models to analyze how neural mechanisms are used for shape representations. Three different experiments were used to test this end, respectively having their own shape representations. The first experiment which revolved around turn angles, tested for sensitivity and angular recognition. The second experiment used participants to observe their ability to see a contour and divide it into two constant curvature parts. Lastly, researchers used a counter comprised of two parts and checked for sensitivity to change among participants. Because of all these separate experiments, the researchers were able to highlight the reasons why curvature segments are preferential in the visual systems and build strides towards what implications this may have. Overall, the research maintained a strong idea that segments that contain constant curvature are the foundation for contour shape representations.
From Baker’s study, much can be learned about the visual system and what shapes there is a preference for as well as how segments can be better familiarized by our brain. In another article, “Shape familiarity modulates preference for curvature in drawings of common-use objects”, there is even more information to support the preference for curvature within the visual system. From a physical representation such as a drawing, researchers observe the contours within drawings as a specific feature to determine the identity of that shape. The research looked to differentiate between curved or sharp-angle depictions of common household objects. In two separate experiments presentation for the two was assessed. For the first experiment, a like-rating system was established, and the responses were met with approach or avoidance in the context of the two different forms of shapes. In the second experiment, participants were given a large selection and were tested in preference to whether the shape was more recognizable when in a curved or straight angle form. Overall the research showed a strong preference for curved systems, bolstering the evidence from the first research and expanding on the idea of contours and curves in our ability to represent shapes.
The visual system is still very complex and needs much more to be understood, but the research highlighted in these two articles gives great strides towards this end. In terms of familiarity, there is still more to be understood about shapes, specifically variables that may not be accounted for such as size of shape and pre-dispositions and understanding of shape before research was conducted. However, because the visual system is so complex, the recognition of contours having strong preference can tell us a lot about where to direct this research in shape representation. Vast research can still be done, and as we explore this end, implications of better understanding the neural mechanisms that play into shape representation can have huge ramifications on perception of the environment.
Chuquichambi EG, Palumbo L, Rey C, Munar E. 2021. Shape familiarity modulates a preference for curvature in drawings of common-use objects. PeerJ9:e11772 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11772
Baker N, Garrigan P, Kellman PJ. Constant curvature segments as building blocks of 2D shape representation. J Exp Psychol Gen. 2021 Aug;150(8):1556-1580. doi: 10.1037/xge0001007. Epub 2020 Dec 17. PMID: 33332142; PMCID: PMC8324180.
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