Our previous studies in depth perception (Meng & Sedgwick, 2001) have supported a surface representation of 3-D layout. In such a representation, space is defined by surfaces, and distance is specified along those surfaces rather than through empty space (Alhazen, 1989, p. 155; Gibson, 1950, p. 6; Sinai, Ooi, & He, 1998; reviewed in Sedgwick, 2001). There is increasing evidence that visible sur...

Successfully performing everyday behaviors requires perceiving affordances-possibilities for behavior that depend on the fit between environmental properties and action capabilities. Whereas affordances for some behaviors are primarily constrained by relatively static geometric properties of the perceiver (non-launching behaviors such as stepping), others are additionally constrained by dynamic...

In this investigation of monocular perception of egocentric distance, the authors advocate the necessity of a perception-action approach because calibration is intrinsic to definite distance perception. A helmet-mounted camera and display were used to isolate optic flow generated by participants' head movements toward a target, and participants' reaches to place a stylus either in a target hole...

Previous research has demonstrated that changing perceivers' action capabilities can affect their perception of the extent over which an action is performed. In the current study, we manipulated jumping ability by having participants wear ankle weights and examined the influence of this manipulation on the perception of jumpable and un-jumpable extents. When wearing ankle weights, jumpable gaps...

Perception is influenced by the perceiver's ability to perform intended actions. For example, when people intend to reach with a tool to targets that are just beyond arm's reach, the targets look closer than when they intend to reach without the tool (J. K. Witt, D. R. Proffitt, & W. Epstein, 2005). This is one of several examples demonstrating that behavioral potential affects perception. Howe...

There is now extensive evidence to support James J. Gibson’s (1966, 1979) hypothesis that our perception of the environment is scaled in terms of our ability to act on that environment; by its affordances. One strand of evidence comes from Proffitt, who has shown that changing a person’s ability to act affects how they judge their ability to perform an upcoming task. The most famous example (Bh...