Does semantic size affect size constancy scaling using lexical stimuli?

Abstract

Binocular disparity allows us to perceive the world in 3-dimensions through the process of stereopsis. In this study, we used binocular disparity to induce the size constancy illusion in lexical stimuli. 47 undergraduate and postgraduate students took part in a within-subjects, repeated measures design. Pairs of words were presented dichoptically using a mirror stereoscope. Results showed a significant interaction between sex, and whether an individual reported perceiving depth. Further analysis showed that in males, the size constancy effect was significantly stronger when the “further” word was presented to the upper visual field, and in females, the effect was significantly stronger when the “further” word was presented to the lower visual field. There was no effect of semantic size, nor of any other semantic variable (concreteness, imageability, semantic category) on the size constancy illusion.