Differentiating Visual Search Efficiencies for Symmetry Type and Texture Regularity

Symmetry is believed to be a fundamental gestalt that aides in our day-to-day ability to interact with the visual world. The goal of this thesis was to investigate the differential processing of types of symmetry when embedded in texture or when viewed as individual objects. Across four experiments, I used the behavioural paradigm of the visual search task to measure processing efficiency across types of symmetry and texture regularity. I used stimuli called “wallpaper groups” which allowed for manipulations of symmetry type while holding constant low and midlevel visual cues. My results indicated that reflection symmetry was processed more efficiently than rotation symmetry and when these symmetries are embedded in a regular texture, they are processed more efficiently than not. The results of this research extend previous findings across behavioural psychology and visual neuroscience.