Peripersonal vs. extrapersonal realm and processing of visual information

This paper describes research on visual information perception and processing in three-dimensional space. Findings on task-specific differences in information perception in different perceptual depth planes and different perceptual realms are reported. Results of three previously conducted experiments indicate that the optimal display location of visual information depends on the nature of the task which is being performed. A comparative study (n = 37) in a test-and-control-group-setting indicates that perceiving visual information in different perceptual depths is not a linear process but is instead influenced by defined perceptual realms, their borders and characteristics. The paper concludes with suggesting the consideration of human visual information processing when making design decisions on 3D-information visualization systems.