Mental models change rapidly with implicitly acquired information about the local environment: A two-tone image study

The projection of 3-D objects to 2-D images necessitates a loss of informat ion, thus the shape of volumetric objects depicted in images is inherently ambiguous. The results of 3 experiments suggest observers use mental models of the local visual environment to constrain image interpretation. These m odels change quickly and dramatically to accommodate implicitly acquired in formation. Observers viewed very high-contrast (2-tone) images of novel vol umetric objects. Before priming, novel 2-tone images appeared 2-D. After in cidental exposure to similar objects in grayscale or familiar objects in 2- tone, the test images appeared volumetric. Incidental learning appears to a lter observers' mental models, thus causing an alteration in image interpre tation in the absence of any image change. Highlights were interpreted more accurately than shadows, suggesting shadows play a secondary role in shape recovery.