The detection of bilateral symmetry: Effects of surrounding frames.

Examined whether the detection of bilateral symmetry in the fronto-parallel plane is influenced by surrounding frames. The study was conducted with 12 Ss. When obliquely or vertically oriented rectangular frames were presented simultaneously surrounding the dot patterns, the frames influenced symmetry detection. Vertical symmetry detection was slower in the tilted frame than it was in the vertical frame, and tilted symmetry was detected faster in the tilted frame than it was in the vertical. When there was a time delay between frame and pattern onset, there was no measurable frame effect. Symmetry detection was slowed when not in line with the long axis of the frame, whereas symmetry detection was not affected when the frame axis was aligned with the symmetry axis. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)