CUES FOR THE PERCEPTION OF THE SIZE OF SPACE IN LANDSCAPES

The perception of the size of spaces is not to be confused with the pe rception of distance. Both are called space perception. A number of at tributes or cues is identified that determine the perception of the si ze of spaces in landscapes as viewed from slides, for instance the hei ght and complexity of walls, the grain of soil texture, the presence o f loose elements, brightness and the role of previous experiences in a moving observer. Some of these cues are used for estimating distance as well. In the classical psychophysical theory of perception, these a ttributes were not recognized as cues for space perception, or their e ffects were called illusions. It is argued that the perception of the size of spaces and the perception of depth or distance are two differe nt mental activities, because either different cues are used or the sa me cues are used in different ways. The perception of the size of a sp ace is a separate faculty with its own cues, resulting from the integr ation of information on these cues. Space perception is an integration of the perception of distance and the perception of size.