ABSTRACT
T raditionally, perceptual psychologists have argued that the visual systemperceives the spatial layout of the environment (e.g., how far, high or bigobjects are) by simply representing the geometrical configuration of that environment. This representation of the environment is thought to be modular and independent of concurrent emotional and cognitive processes. However, recent research suggests that physiological aspects of the observer may influence the perception of spatial layout. For instance, people view hills as steeper after a long run and distances as farther if they are carrying a heavy load (Proffitt, Bhalla, Gossweiler, & Midgett, 1995; Proffitt, Stefanucci, Banton & Epstein, 2003). Research has also shown that manipulations of the ability of observers to perform a task can influence judgments of the size of objects and the distance to those objects (Witt & Proffitt, 2005). These studies provide converging evidence that the state of the observer influences the perception of spatial layout. These manipulations have been primarily physical or physiological in nature, but researchers are now beginning to wonder whether alternate states of observers, especially emotions, might influence the perception of the environment as well. Intuitively, it seems reasonable that participants in a fearful or aroused state might experience an altered reality. This chapter will discuss evidence that supports the claim that emotions can alter perception. It reviews various types of emotional manipulations and their effects on the perception of slant, distance, and height.
