Perceiving in Depth, Volume 1: Basic Mechanisms(Oxford Psychology Series)

The three-volume work Perceiving in Depth is a sequel to Binocular Vision and Stereopsis and to Seeing in Depth, both by Ian P. Howard and Brian J. Rogers. This work is much broader in scope than the previous books and includes mechanisms of depth perception by all senses, including aural, electrosensory organs, and the somatosensory system. Volume 1 reviews sensory coding, psychophysical and analytic procedures, and basic visual mechanisms. Volume 2 reviews stereoscopic vision. Volume 3 reviews all mechanisms of depth perception other than stereoscopic vision. The three volumes are extensively illustrated and referenced and provide the most detailed review of all aspects of perceiving the three-dimensional world.Volume 1 starts with a review of the history of visual science from the ancient Greeks to the early 20th century with special attention devoted to the discovery of the principles of perspective and stereoscopic vision. The first chapter also contains an account of early visual display systems, such as panoramas and peepshows, and the development of stereoscopes and stereophotography. A chapter on the psychophysical and analytic procedures used in investigations of depth perception is followed by a chapter on sensory coding and the geometry of visual space. An account of the structure and physiology of the primate visual system proceeds from the eye through the LGN to the visual cortex and higher visual centers. This is followed by a review of the evolution of visual systems and of the development of the mammalian visual system in the embryonic and post-natal periods, with an emphasis on experience-dependent neural plasticity. An account of the development of perceptual functions, especially depth perception, is followed by a review of the effects of early visual deprivation during the critical period of neural plasticity on amblyopia and other defects in depth perception. Volume 1 ends with accounts of the accommodation mechanism of the human eye and vergence eye movements.

Table of Contents:
Contents of Volume 1 1. Introduction 2. Historical background 3. Psychophysics and analysis 4. Sensory coding 5. Physiology of the visual system 6. Development of the visual system 7. Development of perceptual functions 8. Effects of visual deprivation 9. Image formation and accommodation 10. Vergence eye movements References Subject index Portrait index Index of cited journals

About the Author :
Ian P. Howard is Professor emeritus in the Centre for Vision Research at York University in Toronto. He is the co-author of Human Spatial Organization, Human Visual Organization, and with Brian J. Rogers, of Binocular Vision and Stereopsis (Oxford University Press, 1995), as well as Seeing in Depth, (Porteous and Oxford University Press, 2005).

Review :
From Reviews of Previous Editions "Those who work in the area of binocular vision should consider adding this two-volume set to their personal libraries, even if they own the 1995 book." --Scott Stevenson in Optometry and Visual Science "...the definitive reference and summary of this field for a long time to come. This new volume ranges far beyond what its title promises... belongs not only on the shelf of experts in stereoscopic vision, but also on that of every vision researcher." --The Quarterly Review of Biology "The authors are adept wordsmiths with an encyclopaedic knowledge, and there is little on which they do not have a deeply considered view. This is a hugely impressive book and the copious illustrations, many specially prepared, are unusually handsome, nicely complementing the text." --F.A. Miles in Trends in Neuroscience "An invaluable book certain to be a classic... The book works well because the authors executed it so efficiently. The provide comprehensive, even encyclopaedic coverage, a balanced nonpolemic treatment coupled with lucid coherent exposition... The text is richly supported by hundreds of figure and at least 2,800 references... One could build a seminar around this book, especially so because the writing is unusually free of jargon." --Contemporary Psychology "This marvelous book is surely one of the most important perceptual works in recent years. It is difficult to think of any other area of perception which has ever received a treatment so comprehensive, coherent, and accurate that is at the same time highly stimulating... The reader will find much food for thought... I strongly recommend it to any vision researcher.' --Perception