Does Local or Global Orientation Determine the McCollough Effect?

Abstract

In this research, the McCollough effect was observed by using an ambiguous test pattern of coarse gratings made out of fine gratings. Coarse gratings meet at right angles to fine gratings. The global features (coarse gratings) in the test pattern became more salient if the test pattern was blurred, and the frequency of the McCollough effect, corresponding to the global orientation of the test pattern, increased with the increase of the extent of blur. The McCollough effects corresponding to the local orientation of the test pattern occurred frequently if the subjects adapted to fine gratings before viewing the test pattern, whereas the McCollough effects corresponding to the global orientation of the test pattern occurred frequently if the subjects adapted to coarse gratings. Our results indicate that the perceptual organization is an important determinant in the McCollough effect.