Psychology MCAT Practice Exam

What is the first step in understanding the monocular cue of interposition?

1. Recognizing texture gradient

2. Identifying the closer object blocking another

3. Assessing relative height in the visual field

4. Measuring motion parallax effects

The correct answer is: Identifying the closer object blocking another

Understanding the monocular cue of interposition begins with identifying the closer object that is blocking another. Interposition, also known as occlusion, is a depth perception cue that occurs when one object overlaps or obscures another. This phenomenon provides visual information about the relative positions of objects, indicating that the object being blocked is further away. When you observe two objects, if one is partially obscured by the other, your brain interprets the obscuring object as nearer to you in the spatial arrangement. This immediate recognition allows for a quick assessment of depth and spatial relationships in the visual field, assisting in creating a three-dimensional understanding of the scene. Therefore, recognizing which object is blocking another is fundamental to applying interposition as a cue for depth perception. The other choices involve different monocular cues that provide depth information but are not specifically related to interposition. For instance, texture gradient, relative height, and motion parallax pertain to other aspects of visual perception and do not directly address the importance of occlusion in understanding how objects relate spatially to each other.