Can People Infer Distance in a 2D Scene Using the Visual Size and Position of an Object?

Abstract

Depth information is limited in a 2D scene and for people to perceive the distance of an object, they need to rely on pictorial cues such as perspective, size constancy and elevation in the scene. In this study, we tested whether people could use an object’s size and its position in a 2D image to determine its distance. In a series of online experiments, participants viewed a target representing their smartphone rendered within a 2D scene. They either positioned it in the scene at the distance they thought was correct based on its size or adjusted the target to the correct size based on its position in the scene. In all experiments, the adjusted target size and positions were not consistent with their initially presented positions and sizes and were made larger and moved further away on average. Familiar objects influenced adjusted position from size but not adjusted size from position. These results suggest that in a 2D scene, (1) people cannot use an object’s visual size and position relative to the horizon to infer distance reliably and (2) familiar objects in the scene affect perceived size and distance differently. The differences found demonstrate that size and distance perception processes may be independent.

Proximity-Based Optical Camera Communication with Multiple Transmitters Using Deep Learning

“…However, measuring distance in a 2D image poses challenges, because there is no z-plane in the 2D dimension, which is inherent in a 3D environment. Research conducted by John and Laurence [ 19 ] indicates that, given an object in a specific position within a 2D image, human eyes may struggle to accurately infer the distance of the object, even when provided with the real-world size of the object. However, human eyes and perception can effectively discern the proximity of the objects in the visual field.…”

No cardiac phase bias for threat perception under naturalistic conditions in immersive virtual reality

“…We suggest that stereoscopic VR is particularly suited to test functional distance perception and estimation. It features a more naturalistic depth perception than 2D screens (as often used in classical experiments, e.g., Kim & Harris, 2022; Tabor et al, 2015). Thereby it presents itself as a suitable platform for exploring influences on distance perception in a more naturalistic manner.…”