When crowding of crowding leads to uncrowding

Abstract

In object recognition, features are thought to be processed in a hierarchical fashion from low-level analysis (edges and lines) to complex figural processing (shapes and objects). Here, we show that figural processing determines low-level processing. Vernier offset discrimination strongly deteriorated when we embedded a vernier in a square. This is a classic crowding effect. Surprisingly, crowding almost disappeared when additional squares were added. We propose that figural interactions between the squares precede low-level suppression of the vernier by the single square, contrary to hierarchical models of object recognition.

Dissociable effects of visual crowding on the perception of colour and motion

“…Gestalt approaches (21) argue that crowding occurs when the target is 'grouped' with the flankers, e.g. by forming a pattern with the flankers (44), and that it is reduced when the flankers form patterns that exclude the target (45). The topdown nature of grouping suggests that it should apply to the collection of features within the target as a whole, making it an allor-none process that is inconsistent with the dissociations we observe here.…”

Targets but not flankers are suppressed in crowding as revealed by EEG frequency tagging

“…Whereas superb resolution is desirable in certain situations, it is not when the human brain needs to process wholes rather than parts. For example, we have shown that strong crowding disappears when the flankers ungroup from the target, e.g., by becoming part of a larger whole (Herzog et al, 2015;Malania et al, 2007;Manassi et al, 2012Manassi et al, , 2013Saarela et al, 2009;Sayim et al, 2010).…”

Uncorking the bottleneck of crowding: a fresh look at object recognition

“…This is a classic crowding effect. Surprisingly, performance improved when more and more squares were added, extending beyond Bouma's window ( Figure 3C; [19 ], see also [20] in Figure 3D and [21]). …”