Understanding Navon

A detailed structural and conceptual analysis of a basic local–global task

Bibliographic Data

ID21640873
AuthorsFelix Schweigkofler (0000-0002-5632-8799, Utrecht University, corresponding author), Sjoerd Stuit (0000-0003-3891-2171, Utrecht University), J Wagemans (0000-0002-7970-1541, KU Leuven), Tanja C W Nijboer (0000-0001-6683-0267, Utrecht University), Tanja Nijboer, Leendert van Maanen (0000-0001-9120-1075, Utrecht University), Stefan Van Der Stigchel (0000-0002-5918-3521, Utrecht University)
Year2025
Volume32
Issue6
Pages3323-3345
Publication date2025-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePsychonomic Bulletin & Review (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1069-9384 • E-ISSN: 1531-5320
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.3758/s13423-025-02741-2
PMID41116145
OpenAlexW4415369394
LanguageEN
References cited63

When perceiving visual information, either the local parts or more commonly the global whole can dominate on a perceptual-cognitive level (local/global bias). Using hierarchical figures consisting of smaller local elements forming a larger global shape, researchers have tried to understand how this local–global bias emerges. However, despite extensive research, local–global biases remain an elusive concept (possibly partially due to inadequacies of the task design itself), with implicit assumptions untested and different effect metrics being in use. To provide conceptual clarity, this study presents a detailed description of metrics and effects (content validity) and discusses four major assumptions in the current literature. Where possible, these assumptions are tested on a basic local–global task (the so-called Navon task) across 18 datasets (> 8,000 participants). The metric reliability is tested on nine datasets (> 7,000 participants). Our conceptual reasoning attempts to disentangle the complexity of interference effects in hierarchical figure tasks and discusses a potential facilitation effect. Our empirical results most importantly indicate: (1) the independence of the biased precedence and biased interference metrics, underlining that local–global biases do not reflect a unitary construct, (2) the independence of local-to-global and global-to-local interference, and (3) a low split-half reliability for interference metrics. Based on these insights we argue for further re-evaluating the concept (and theory) of local–global biases, prioritizing research on a thorough conceptual (and theoretical) understanding of local–global tasks, a more consistent use of bias-related metrics in future studies, and a possible need for a more mechanistic approach to facilitate effective future research on hierarchical figure tasks

Facilitation · Task Analysis · Unitary state · Face Recognition and Perception · Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies · Visual perception and processing mechanisms

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