Representation and perception of scenic layout

This paper presents a cognitive approach to on-line spatial perception within scenes. A theoretical framework is developed, based on the idea that experience with a scene can activate a complex representation of layout that facilitates subsequent processing of spatial relations within the scene. The representations integrate significant, relevant scenic information and are substantial in amount or extent. The representations are active across short periods of time and across changes in the retinal position of the image. These claims were supported in a series of experiments in which pictures of scenes (primes) facilitated subsequent spatial relations processing within the scenes. The prime-induced representations integrated object identity and layout, were broad in scope, involved both foreground and background information, and were effective across changes in image position.