"The treachery of images": How the realness of objects and actions affects brain activation and behavior

Psychologists and neuroimagers commonly study perceptual and cognitive processes using images because of the convenience and ease of experimental control they provide. However, real objects differ from pictures in many ways, including the availability and consistency of depth cues and the potential for interaction. Across a series of neuroimaging and behavioral experiments, we have shown different responses to real objects than pictures in terms of the level and pattern of brain activation as well as visual preferences. Now that these results have shown quantitative and qualitative differences in the processing of real objects and images, the next step is to determine which aspects of real objects drive these differences.