Priming for symmetry detection of three-dimensional figures: Central axes can prime symmetry detection separately from local components

The image properties that are crucial for priming for symmetry perception in threedimensional line drawings were examined in four experiments. In all experiments, participants first engaged in a study task, in which they determined the left/right facing direction of individual objects. Following the study task, priming (facilitation in accuracy and/or speed of performance) of symmetry judgements was analysed for objects whose image properties were modified at the time of test. The results of the experiments indicated that (a) priming was present even when local components of objects were modified between study and test, so long as the axis of symmetry of the objects was unchanged, and (b) priming was also present even when studied objects had completely different configurations of local components. These results suggest that the symmetric axis of objects can prime symmetry detection separately from local components and their configurations.