Lightness/brightness reviewed from the perspective of event perception

Abstract

A number of studies on lightness/brightness perception have been done from several different perspectives, including those of physical factors, physiological mechanisms, and perceptual organization. While these studies have revealed various phenomena such as lightness/brightness contrast, assimilation, and constancy, few studies have referred to variabilities of perception, such as perceived changes of configuration when observing a Fuchs’s transparency pattern. This article defines this kind of perception as “event perception” and reviews studies of lightness/brightness perception from this viewpoint. First, we collated and analyzed a wide variety of lightness/brightness studies. Second, we identified several phenomena which could be considered event perception from these studies. Finally, we revisited lightness/brightness perception from the perspective of event perception. In conclusion, event perception is a perspective that allows us to find and explore the variability of perception. Regarding lightness and brightness perception from this perspective is useful because it provides the opportunity to identify changes in lightness/brightness and to explore the variability of perceptual attributes while an object or pattern is being observed.