Looming

Looming is a term found in the study of perception, as it relates directly to psychology. Looming occurs when an object begins moving closer to the eye. As the resulting image becomes increasingly larger on the perceiver's retina, i.e., when an object looms, there is an automatic physiological response to perceive the object as an approaching object or surface, instead of one that is stationary or receding.[1] Evidence indicates that looming perception is not limited to the visual modality, but can occur due to auditory or even tactile stimuli.[2][3]

There is a different type of mirage that is also described as looming, in which distant objects appear much nearer than they actually are. This is explained in the same way as the image of the ship [clarification needed], except that the image is not inverted; the variations in density may also act as a magnifying glass.

Sharp edge eye syndrome (SEES), sometimes known as visual looming syndrome, is a condition in which the patient experiences ocular pain or discomfort when viewing or mentally picturing sharp objects and edges. Patients may present for medical care because they perceive the condition to represent an ophthalmic problem or a sign of a more serious underlying condition.[4]

  1. ^ Gibson, J. J. (2014). The Ecological Approach to Visual Perception: Classic Edition. Psychology Press.
  2. ^ Gray, R. (2011). Looming auditory collision warnings for driving. Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 53(1), 63-74.
  3. ^ Lawson, B. D. (2014). Tactile Displays for Cueing Self-Motion and Looming: What Would Gibson Think?. Advances in Cognitive Engineering and Neuroergonomics, 11, 3.
  4. ^ Reynolds, Merrick S.; Katz, Bradley J.; Digre, Kathleen B.; Brintz, Ben J.; Olson, Lenora M.; Warner, Judith E. A. (2022-12-01). "Sharp Edge Eye Syndrome: A Case Report and Survey of Self-Identified Individuals". Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology. 42 (4): 524–529. doi:10.1097/WNO.0000000000001650. ISSN 1536-5166. PMC 9675685. PMID 36166802.