3D vs 2D shape perception

Description: Real objects are processed differently than 2D images of those same objects (cite), meaning that 3-dimensionality is a relevant feature that must be represented in brain. In nonhuman primate studies, there is evidence that 3D features are being explicitly encoded in the brain, specifically in ventral stream regions traditionally believed to represent 2D features and that are subserving object recognition. Individual studies that assess the role of 3D shape processing as opposed to 2D shape are in general underpowered—each study recruited in average only 16 participants—and they vary greatly in the types of task and stimuli used. It is therefore difficult to estimate which brain areas are consistently associated with the processing of 3D shape as opposed to 2D shape.