A Figure-Density Hypothesis and Illusory Contour Brightness

Abstract

Perceived figures tend to have surface colour and to be comparatively dense in texture and saturated. These figure characteristics are found in many of the illusory contour figures examined heretofore but new figures presented here do not conform to these characteristics. Consequently, rather than explain subjective brightness effects as offshoots of figural processes, it may be better to begin with concepts of local brightness effects induced by the display, which are made perceptually effective when grouped by the eye.