Color, Depth, and Size

113 Oculomotor and Monocular Depth Cues

Learning Objectives

Understand what oculomotor depth cues are.

Be able to briefly describe what oculomotor muscles and ciliary muscles do.

Be able to list and explain at least 6 monocular depth cues.

Oculomotor depth cues are proprioceptive information from oculomotor muscles and ciliary muscles. Oculomotor muscles are the muscles that rotate the eyeballs for them to converge at a depth (fig.10.6.1). Ciliary muscles are the muscles that change the focal length by compressing the lens of the eye.

 

Fig. 10.6.1. Oculomotor Depth Cues. These two eyes have been adjusted by their oculomotor muscles to provide depth cues about the cookie that’s about to fall off the table! (Credit: Jarod Davis Provided by: University of Minnesota. License CC-BY-NC-ND)

Monocular depth cues are depth cues that are able to be perceived without both eyes. Some monocular depth cues include, but are not limited to:

  1. Relative Height: Things at a distance look like their base is higher.
  2. Relative Size: Objects farther away from other objects are smaller (Fig.10.6.2).
  3. Occlusion: Things will get in front of other things.
  4. Shadows: Relative height and depth.
  5. Texture Gradient: Textures look finer as they draw back.
  6. Atmospheric Perspective: Things that are far away look hazy or out of focus.

 

Fig.10.6.2. Monocular Depth Cues. The ciliary muscles of this eye provide depth cues based on relative size of the ball. (Credit: Jarod Davis Provided by: University of Minnesota. License CC-BY-4.0)

 

Fig. 10.6.3. Monocular depth cues. These trees display our sense of relative height. As the trees are getting further away, the base of where they meet the ground appears to be higher the further away they get. (Credit: Sydney Eccles Provided by: University of Minnesota. License CC Zero)
Fig. 10.6.3. Monocular depth cues. These trees display our sense of relative height. As the trees are getting further away, the base of where they meet the ground appears to be higher the further away they get. (Credit: Sydney Eccles Provided by: University of Minnesota. License CC Zero)

 

Fig. 10.6.4. Monocular Depth Cues. These toys display our sense of occlusion. As the toys overlap each other, we perceive that the ones that overlap the others are closer to us than the ones being overlapped. (Credit: Sydney Eccles Provided by: University of Minnesota. License CC Zero)
Fig. 10.6.4. Monocular Depth Cues. These toys display our sense of occlusion. As the toys overlap each other, we perceive that the ones that overlap the others are closer to us than the ones being overlapped. (Credit: Sydney Eccles Provided by: University of Minnesota. License CC Zero)

Take a peak at these websites to learn more about monocular and binocular oculomotor cues.

CC LICENSED CONTENT, SHARED PREVIOUSLY
Cheryl Olman PSY 3031 Detailed Outline
Provided by: University of Minnesota
Download for free at http://vision.psych.umn.edu/users/caolman/courses/PSY3031/
License of original source: CC Attribution 4.0
Adapted by: Madelynn Gibbons

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Introduction to Sensation and Perception Copyright © 2022 by Students of PSY 3031 and Edited by Dr. Cheryl Olman is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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