Beyond Bouma's window: How to explain global aspects of crowding?
Fig 1
a. In crowding, the perception of a target element deteriorates in the presence of nearby elements. When fixating the left cross, the target letter V on the right is hard to identify because of the nearby flankers. b. The task is easier than in (a), because the flankers are further away from the target letter V. Bouma’s law states that crowding occurs only when flankers are sufficiently close to the target, within the so-called Bouma’s window. c. Crowding is a ubiquitous phenomenon since elements are rarely seen in isolation. For example, when fixating the central red dot, the child on the left is easier to detect because it is not surrounded by nearby flankers, as is the child on the right.