Studies in space orientation. IV. Further experiments on perception of the upright with displaced visual fields.

effects of visual frameworks of different tilt and of different bodily positions upon perception of the upright were investigated in 53 adult Ss. The visual field consisted of a simple luminous frame contained in a completely darkened room. Within the frame was a luminous rod which the S had to set to the vertical and horizontal. The frame was tilted 28° right, 28° left or was erect; and the body was either erect or tilted 28° left. Tilting of the frame caused a shift in the perceived upright in the direction of the frame. The influence of the frame was smaller with body upright than with body tilted. There were marked individual differences in performance with modes of perceiving the upright characteristic of the individual involved. 'weak' structure of the visual framework used resulted in smaller errors, as compared with previous studies, when the rod had to be set to the upright under the influence of the tilted frame. At the same time, the framework was relatively unstable, the top coming to be perceived as a side, and so on. It was concluded that … the effect of the visual field upon the perceived upright tends to be stronger and more consistent, the more richly articulated the field. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)