Statistical processing: computing the average size in perceptual groups

This paper explores some structural constraints on computing the mean sizes of sets of elements. Neither number nor density had much effect on judgments of mean size. Intermingled sets of circles segregated only by color gave mean discrimination thresholds for size that were as accurate as sets segregated by location. They were about the same when the relevant color was cued, when it was not cued, and when no distractor set was present. The results suggest that means are computed automatically and in parallel after an initial preattentive segregation by color. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.