Principles of Visual Perception - Shape Constancy (SCD Life Painting)

Shape constancy refers to the phenomenon in which the precept of the shape of a given object remains constant despite changes in the shape of the object’s retinal image.An object is perceived to maintain its known shape despite the changing perspective from which it is observed. This is a learnt skill, a toddler may have difficulty perceiving a familiar toy if it is viewed from an unusual angle. Objects that are familiar to us can be accurately interpreted when viewed from any direction. For example, as a door opens, its retinal image changes shape from a rectangle to a trapezium, but we easily maintain our perception of a rectangular door.