 |
|
Face facts: People don't stand out in crowds
January 22, 2008A new study reveals why it is hard to spot familiar faces in groups
Rockville, MD - Why is it difficult to pick out even a familiar face in a crowd? We all experience this, but the phenomenon has been poorly understood until now. The results of a recent study may have implications for individuals with face-recognition disorders and visual-attention related ailments - and eventually could help scientists develop an artificial visual system that approaches the sophistication of human visual perception.
The study is part of the recently completed Journal of Vision (www.journalofvision.org) special issue titled "Crowding: Including illusory conjunctions, surround suppression, and attention" (www.journalofvision.org/7/2). "Crowding" is a failure to recognize an individual object in a cluttered environment. It may be due to one of the shortcuts our brains use to help us make sense of the vast amount of visual information we take in every second.
This special issue contains 25 articles devoted exclusively to crowding and related topics. Other noteworthy studies include "Effect of letter spacing on visual span and reading speed" which links reading speed to the number of letters we can recognize without moving our eyes. The impact of contrast and character size on reading speed is examined in "The case for the visual span as a sensory bottleneck in reading."
The authors conducted five experiments to measure participants' recognition of a familiar face or house that was located in a crowded display of other faces or houses. They found that face recognition is more difficult when target faces are surrounded by upright faces (as seen in crowds). This effect was not present for images of houses, or when upside-down faces were used as targets. The results indicate that searching for a face in a crowd is difficult in part because images of upright faces interfere with each other.
This kind of crowding is well documented in simple features, such as slanted lines or edges. But faces are a complex stimulus. Many researchers believe the importance of faces in our lives lend them special status in the brain: they are processed not as a collection of these lines and edges, as many objects are, but holistically, as a single image. The authors in this study were the first to show that crowding also occurs for these high-level stimuli.
"Crowding may reveal one of the fundamental mechanisms the visual system uses to consolidate or filter a great deal of information into a very few meaningful chunks," explained Dr. Whitney. "If vision scientists and engineers are to develop an efficient and realistic artificial visual system, they will almost certainly benefit from using the human visual system as a model. An understanding of the visual system's heuristics, shortcuts and limitations - such as crowding - will likely prove essential in designing effective artificial vision."
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
This special issue contains 25 articles devoted exclusively to crowding and related topics. Other noteworthy studies include "Effect of letter spacing on visual span and reading speed" which links reading speed to the number of letters we can recognize without moving our eyes. The impact of contrast and character size on reading speed is examined in "The case for the visual span as a sensory bottleneck in reading."
The authors conducted five experiments to measure participants' recognition of a familiar face or house that was located in a crowded display of other faces or houses. They found that face recognition is more difficult when target faces are surrounded by upright faces (as seen in crowds). This effect was not present for images of houses, or when upside-down faces were used as targets. The results indicate that searching for a face in a crowd is difficult in part because images of upright faces interfere with each other.
This kind of crowding is well documented in simple features, such as slanted lines or edges. But faces are a complex stimulus. Many researchers believe the importance of faces in our lives lend them special status in the brain: they are processed not as a collection of these lines and edges, as many objects are, but holistically, as a single image. The authors in this study were the first to show that crowding also occurs for these high-level stimuli.
"Crowding may reveal one of the fundamental mechanisms the visual system uses to consolidate or filter a great deal of information into a very few meaningful chunks," explained Dr. Whitney. "If vision scientists and engineers are to develop an efficient and realistic artificial visual system, they will almost certainly benefit from using the human visual system as a model. An understanding of the visual system's heuristics, shortcuts and limitations - such as crowding - will likely prove essential in designing effective artificial vision."
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
Visual System Current Events and Visual System News RSSDartmouth Professor finds that iconic Oswald photo was not faked
Dartmouth Computer Scientist Hany Farid has new evidence regarding a photograph of accused John F. Kennedy assassin Lee Harvey Oswald. Farid, a pioneer in the field of digital forensics, digitally analyzed an iconic image of Oswald pictured in a backyard setting holding a rifle in one hand and Marxist newspapers in the other.
Experimental treatments restore partial vision to blind people
Two experimental treatments, a retinal prosthesis and fetal tissue transplant, restored some vision to people with blinding eye diseases. The findings, presented at Neuroscience 2009, the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience and the world's largest source of emerging news on brain science and health, may lead to new treatments for the blind.
Dyslexia varies across language barriers
Chinese-speaking children with dyslexia have a disorder that is distinctly different, and perhaps more complicated and severe, than that of English speakers.
Getting wired: how the brain does it
In a new study, researchers at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (The Neuro), McGill University have found an important mechanism involved in setting up the vast communications network of connections in the brain.
Our brain looks at eyes first to identify a face
A study by the University of Barcelona (UB) has analysed which facial features our brain examines to identify faces.
Brain detects happiness more quickly than sadness
People make value judgements about others based on their facial expressions. A new study, carried out be Spanish and Brazilian researchers, shows that - after looking at a face for only 100 milliseconds - we can detect expressions of happiness and surprise faster than those of sadness or fear.
New tool helps researchers identify DNA patterns of cancer, genetic disorders
A new tool will help researchers identify the minute changes in DNA patterns that lead to cancer, Huntington's disease and a host of other genetic disorders.
Neuroscientists discover long-term potentiation in the olfactory bulb
Ben W. Strowbridge, Ph.D, associate professor of Neuroscience and Physiology/Biophysics, and Yuan Gao, a Ph.D. student in the neurosciences program at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, are the first to discover a form of synaptic memory in the olfactory bulb, the part of the brain that processes the sense of smell.
Study reveals we seek new targets during visual search, not during other visual behaviors
When we look at a scene in front of us, we need to focus on the important items and be able to ignore distracting elements. Studies have suggested that inhibition of return (in which our attention is less likely to return to objects we've already viewed) helps make visual search more efficient - when searching a scene to find an object, we have a bias toward inspecting new regions of a scene, and we avoid looking for the object in already searched areas.
Caltech researchers train computers to analyze fruit-fly behavior
Scientists at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have trained computers to automatically analyze aggression and courtship in fruit flies, opening the way for researchers to perform large-scale, high-throughput screens for genes that control these innate behaviors.
More Visual System Current Events and Visual System News Articles
 |
An Introduction to the Visual System by Martin J. Tovée (Author) Building on the successful formula of the first edition, Martin Tovée offers a concise but detailed account of how the visual system is organised and functions to produce visual perception. He takes his readers from first principles; the structure and function of the eye and what happens when light enters, to how we see and process images, recognise patterns and faces, and through to the most recent discoveries in molecular genetics and brain imaging, and how they have uncovered a host of new advances in our understanding of how visual information is processed within the brain. Incorporating new material throughout, including almost 50 new images, every chapter has been updated to include the latest research, and culminates in helpful key points, which summarise the lessons learnt. This... |
 |
Microsoft Visual Studio Team System 2008 Development Edition Renewal by Microsoft Software Visual Studio Team System 2008 Development Edition provides developers with an advanced set of tools to identify inefficient, insecure or poor quality code; specify coding best practices and automate software unit testing. These tools help everyone on the team write better quality code, reduce security-related issues and avoid bugs later in the development life cycle. Product Description: Microsoft Visual Studio Team System 2008 Development Edition - upgrade package Category: Development tools Subcategory: Development tools - team tools, development tools - RAD suites License Type: Upgrade package Bundled Support: MSDN Premium Subscriptions License Qty: 1 user License Pricing: Standard Licensing Details: Not to Latin America Language(s): English Platform: Windows Distribution Media:... |
 |
Choiceworks Visual Support System by Bee Visual LLC Choiceworks is a learning tool that uses a combination of 3 structured boards, visual images and built in choice making opportunities to effectively help children complete daily routines (morning, day & night), understand & control their feelings and improve their waiting skills (taking turns, not interrupting). The included companion books help teach your child about their daily schedule, dealing with transitions and managing their feelings. "The ChoiceworksTM Visual Support System provides exactly the kind of communication support that enables children to follow routines, make choices and demonstrate appropriate behavior. This system is a fabulous tool to help children participate more effectively with greater independence." Linda Hodgdon, M. ED, CCC-SLP Author of Visual Strategies... |
|
MPRO110 ADAPTER CABLE FOR CABLAPPLE IPOD ITOUCH IPHONE by 3M VISUAL SYSTEMS DIVISION | |
 |
Mobi MobiCam Audio Video Baby Monitoring System by MOBI MobiCam AV is compact, portable, and multi-functional. Its the most versatile color, handheld, 900 Mhz, wireless baby monitoring system available. Designed specifically for easy mobility of both the camera and monitor the MobiCam AV system can be moved to virtually any location within the home, office, or other environment...instantly. With a transmission range of up to 300 ft., automatic see-in-the-dark night vision, and the ability to connect to your TV or other audio-video device, MobiCam AV is the monitoring system that makes sure security and peace of mind are easily within sight. * Optional Internet Kit * Extra wide camera viewing angle * Optional extra camera (#70061) * Belt Clip, Table Stand, and Hanging Loop * Battery or AC operation * No interference from... |
 |
Pioneer Car AVHP6000DVD In-Dash Visual Audio Entertainment System by Pioneer The comforts and luxury of a 6-disc changer are finally at your fingertips, with an exclusive in-dash 6-Disc DVD/CD changer. The AVH-P6000DVD features wide compatibility, including MP3/WMA, and has many remarkable feature attachments. It also includes a bright, crystal-clear 7"" Widescreen LCD Display with Touch Panel operation. |
 |
Visual System Turismo The Glamour Manifesto (Primary Contributor) |
 |
Continuum and the Healing Process: A Healthy Visual System (9 DVD Set) Starring: Emilie Conrad, Suzanne Scurlock-Durana Directed By: Emilie Conrad;Suzanne Scurlock-Durana Filmed in Reston, Virginia, October 5 - 9, 2002 during the Continuum and the Healing Process workshop taught by Emilie Conrad and Suzanne Scurlock-Durana. This year's workshop has received rave reviews. We brought the process of moving deeply into the body using breath, sound, and movement together with specific protocols and explorations in the actual visual system. Many people had startling and wonderful results in their vision and experienced greater relaxation due to the improvement. |
 |
Office Visual Organizer Board System File Sorter f/ any Office Wall, 4'x3', Gray QRTOB444A by Quartet Perfect for any cubicle. Two easy mounting options include a cubicle mount bracket that fits into the seams of the cubicle and an adjustable hanger. QRTOW36 and QRTOW48: Workstation Visual Organizers include two organization tracks to hold folders, 12 frosted folders hold up to 25 sheets of paper, a tackable foam bulletin strip, 1 bulk file pocket (48" organizer only) and cubicle mount hanging system. QRTOB442A, QRTOB443A and QRTOB444A: Office Visual Organizers include organization tracks to hold folders (442A and 443A have one track, 444A has two tracks), 12 frosted folders hold up to 25 sheets of paper, 3 bulk file pockets (444A and 442A organizers only), Gray diamond mesh bulletin surface and easy mount hanging system for any office. |
 |
Wireless Audio Visual Intercom System Primary Function: Home Audio and Visual Portable Intercom System Indoor Unit Specifications: - Power Supply - Input 100-240V (50/60Hz) / Output - DC 5V 1A - Screen Size - 2.4 inch TFT LCD screen - On Screen Indicators - Signal Bar, Battery Bar, Time, Atmosphere Temperature - Modulation - GFSK - Internal Battery - 3.7V 1200mAh Rechargeable Li-ion Battery - Power Consumption - Standby - 0.1W / Working - 12W - Frequency - 2.4GHz - Channel - 64 - Transmitting Power - 17dBm - Wireless transmitting range - approx. 15 meters - Charging Time - 3 Hours - Onboard Buttons/Indicators - Unlock Door, View Monitor. Talk Button, MIC, LED Indicator, Mini USB Input, Speaker, Volume -/+, Brightness control -/+, Antenna, Power ON/OFF Switch Dimensions: L:102 x W:134 x H:55 (mm) Outdoor Unit... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |