Skip to main content

Psychological Sciences

Psychological Sciences
  2. People
  3. Profile

Joseph S. Lappin

Research Professor of Psychology

Lappin conducts research on human visual perception: How does knowledge of the surrounding world_solid objects and meaningful events in 3D spaces_derive from patterns of light on the eyes?  Current R&D: Quantifying the channel capacity of conscious visual recognition of salient information. 

Lab Website

Representative Publications

  • Lappin, J.S., Morse, D. & Seiffert, A.E. (2016).  The channel capacity of visual awareness divided among multiple moving objects.  Attention, Perception, & Psychophysics, 78, 2469-2493. DOI 10.3758/s13414-016-1162-z.
  • Lappin, J.S. (2016).  Identifying spatiotemporal information.  In J.W. Houpt & L.M. Blaha (Eds.) Mathematical Models of Cognition and Perception, Vol I:  A Festschrift for James T. Townsend. Ch. 7, pp. 107-151.)  New York:  Routledge.
  • Nyquist, J.B., Lappin, J.S., Zhang, R., & Tadin, D. (2016).  Perceptual training yields rapid improvements in visually impaired youth.  Scientific Reports, 6, 34731-34742.  DOI: 10.1038/srep34731.
  • Lappin, J.S. (2014).  What is binocular disparity? (Mini-review).  Frontiers in Psychology, Perception Science, http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00870/full.
  • Lappin, J.S. (2013).  Inferential and ecological theories of visual perception.  In L. Albertazzi (Ed.) Handbook of Experimental Phenomenology; Visual Perception of Shape, Space and Appearance, pp. 39-69.  Oxford, UK:  Wiley-Blackwell.
  • Lappin, J.S., Norman, J.F., & Phillips, F. (2011).  Fechner, information, and shape perception.  (Invited tutorial review).  Attention, Perception, & Psychophysics, 73, 2353-2378:  DOI 10.3758/s13414-011-0197-4.
  • Lappin, J.S., Tadin, D., Nyquist, J.B., & Corn, A.L. (2009).  Spatial and temporal limits of motion perception across variations in speed, eccentricity, and low vision.  Journal of Vision, 9(1): 30, 1-14.
  • Tadin, D., Paffen, C.L.E., Blake, R., & Lappin, J.S. (2008). Contextual modulations of center-surround interactions in motion revealed with the motion aftereffect. Journal of Vision, 8(7):9, 1-11.
  • Tadin, D., Kim, J., Doop, M.L., Gibson, C., Lappin, J.S., Blake, R., & Park, S. (2006). Weakened center-surround interactions in motion processing in schizophrenia. The Journal of Neuroscience, 26, 11403-11412.
  • Lappin, J.S., Shelton, A.L., & J.J. Rieser (2006). Environmental context influences visually perceived distance. Perception & Psychophysics, 68 (4), 571-581.
  • Tadin, D., Lappin, J.S., & Blake, R. (2006). Fine temporal properties of center-surround interactions in motion processing revealed by reverse correlation. The Journal of Neuroscience, 26, 2614-2622.
  • Tadin, D. & Lappin, J.S. (2005). Optimal size for perceiving motion decreases with contrast. Vision Research, 45, 2059-2064.
  • Norman, J.F., Norman, H.F., Lee, Y., Stockton, D., & Lappin, J.S. (2004). The visual perception of length along intrinsically curved surfaces. Perception & Psychophysics, 66 (1), 77-88.
  • Tadin, D., Lappin, J.S., Gilroy, L.A., & Blake, R. (2003). Perceptual consequences of centre-surround antagonism in visual motion processing. Nature, 424, 312-315.
  • Koenderink, J.J., van Doorn, A.J., & Lappin, J.S. (2003). Exocentric pointing to opposite targets. Acta Psychologica, 112, 71-87.
  • Tadin, D., Lappin, J.S., Gilroy, L.A., & Blake, R. (2003). Perceptual consequences of centre-surround antagonism in visual motion processing. Nature, 424, 312-315
  • Tadin, D., Lappin, J. S., Blake, R., & Grossman, E. D. (2002). What constitutes an efficient reference frame for vision? Nature Neuroscience, 5, 110-115
  • Lappin, J.S., Tadin, D. & Whittier, E.J. (2002). Visual coherence of moving and stationary image changes. Vision Research, 42, 1523-1534
  • Lappin, J.S., Donnelly, M. P, & Kojima, H. (2001). Coherence of early motion signals. Vision Research, 41, 1631-1644
  • Norman, J.F., Lappin, J.S., & Norman, H. (2000). Visual perception of length on a physically curved surface. Perception & Psychophysics, 62(6), 1133-1145
  • Lappin, J.S., & Craft, W.D. (2000). Foundations of spatial vision: From retinal images to perceived shapes. Psychological Review, 107 (1), 6-38
  • Koenderink, J.J., van Doorn, A.J., & Lappin, J.S. (2000). Direct measurement of the curvature of visual space. Perception, 29, 69-79
  • Perotti, V.J., Todd, J.T., Lappin, J.S., & Phillips, F. (1998). The perception of surface curvature from optical motion. Perception and Psychophysics, 60(3), 377-388.
  • Lappin, J. S., & Craft, W.D. (1997). Definition and detection of binocular disparity. Vision Research, 37(21), 2953-2974.
  • Lappin, J. S. (1967).  Attention in the identification of stimuli in complex visual displays.  Journal of Experimental Psychology, 75, 321-328.
  •  Lappin, J. S., & Eriksen, C. W. (1966).  Use of a delayed signal to stop a visual reaction time response.  Journal of Experimental Psychology, 72, 805-811.