The perceptual organization of visual objects: a microgenetic analysis

Primed matching was used to examine the microgenesis of perceptual organization for line configurations that vary in the connectedness between their four line components, and for hierarchical patterns composed of four outline closed figures. The results for the line configurations showed that the configural organization of the disconnected line segments was available for priming very early, and its effect outweighed possible effects of the line components. An early relative dominance of the components was observed for the stimuli whose components were closed figures. These results suggest that uniform connectedness is not necessary for the designation of entry-level units. Disconnected line segments are rapidly organized into configurations, provided the presence of collinearity and/or closure. Closed figural elements are individuated early and are grouped into higher-level units with time. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.