When you stand to the side of a window frame, it casts a trapezoidal (nonrectangular) image on your retina. It still seems rectangular to you, though, because of __________.
A) size constancy
B) shape constancy
C) figure-ground
D) the phi phenomenon

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Shape constancy allows us to perceive the shape of an object as constant regardless of the angle or position at which we view it. In this case, even though the image on our retina is trapezoidal, we still perceive the window frame as having a rectangular shape. Size constancy pertains to perceiving an object as having a constant size even when it appears larger or smaller due to changes in distance. Figure-ground refers to the perception of a figure (the object of interest) against a background, and the phi phenomenon is a perceptual illusion where a series of stationary images presented in rapid succession create the illusion of motion.

When You Stand to the Side of a Window Frame