Abstract
In three experiments, human observers made timed decisions about alphanumeric characters, displayed singly in different orientations and versions (normal vs. backward). Latency to identify the characters was longer for backward than for normal versions, regardless of angular orientation and even under conditions in which latency was independent of angular orientation. Subjects also took longer to respond to a target orientation (whatever the character) than to respond to a target character (whatever the orientation). The results suggest that the observer first induces a description of a character that is largely independent of orientation but not of version, although the representation of version is too weak at this stage to permit an overt decision about it. Next, the angular orientation of the character is determined. Finally, the observer might “mentally rotate” the representation to the standard upright, for matching against an internally generated template.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Reference Note
Olshansky, P.Phenomenal orientation in form perception. Unpublished paper, Yeshiva University, 1966 (cited by Rock, 1973).
References
Achim, A., &Corballis, M. C. Mirror-image equivalence and the anterior commissure.Neuropsychologia, 1977,15, 475–478.
Appelle, S. Perception and discrimination as a function of stimulus orientation: The “oblique effect” in man and animals.Psychological Bulletin, 1972,78, 266–278
Bradsi-Law, J..Bradley, D., &Patterson, K. The perception and identification of mirror-reversed patterns.Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1976,28, 221–246.
Cooper, L. A. Mental transformations of random two-dimensional shapes.Cognitive Psychology, 1975,7, 20–43.
Coofer, L. A., &Shepard, R. N. Chronometric studies of the rotation of mental images. In W. G. Chase (Ed.),Visual information processing. New York: Academic Press, 1973.
Corballls, M. C., &Beale, I. L. Bilateral symmetry and behavior.Psychologtcal Review, 1970,77, 451–464.
Corballis, M. C., &Beale, I. L.The psychology of left and right. Hillsdale, N.J: Lawrence Erlbaum, 1976.
Corballis, M. C., Zbrodoff, J., &Roldan, C. E. What’s up in mental rotation?Perception & Psychophysics, 1976,19, 525–530.
Deutsch, J. A. A theory of shape recognition.British Journal of Psychology, 1955,46, 30–37.
Deutsch, J. A. A A system for shape recognition.Psychological Review, 1962,69, 492–500.
Greenhouse, S. W., &Geisser, S. On methods in the analysis of profile data.Psychometrika, 1959,24, 95–112.
Kolers, P. A., &Perkins, D. N. Orientation of letters and their speed of recognition.Perception & Psychophysics, 1969,5, 275–280.
Milner, P. M. A model for visual shape recognition.Psychological Review, 1974,81, 521–535.
Pollen, D. A., Lee, J. R., &Taylor, L. H. How does the striate cortex begin the reconstruction of the visual world?Science, 1971,173, 74–77.
Rock, I.Orientation and form. New York: Academic Press, 1973.
Schneider, G. E. Two visual systems,Science, 1969,163, 895–902.
Shepard, R. N., &Metzler, J. Mental rotation of threedimensional objects.Science, 1971,171, 701–703.
Teichner, W. H., &Krebs, M. J. Laws of visual choiee reaction time.Psychological Review, 1974,81, 75–98.
Winer, B. L.Statistical principles in experimental design. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1971.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This research was supported by grants from the Defense Research Board of Canada (9425-13) and from the National Research Council of Canada. We also acknowledge the use of the computer-based laboratory of the McGill University Department of Psychology, supported by the National Research Council of Canada, the FCAC program of the Quebec Ministry of Education, and McGill University Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Corballis, M.C., Zbrodoff, N.J., Shetzer, L.I. et al. Decisions about identity and orientation of rotated letters and digits. Memory & Cognition 6, 98–107 (1978). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03197434
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03197434