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Theories of visual pattern recognition frequently assume that processing begins with an analysis of the pattern into component parts, which are often assumed to be line segments of particular orientations, lengths, positions, and curvatures. The present 5 experiments, each using 8 undergraduates, measured discriminability of these simple parts when presented either in isolation or within configural contexts that provided no formal information useful for the discrimination. Certain contexts either impaired or did not affect performance. Other contexts were found, however, which dramatically improved discriminability. Thus, 2 patterns which differed only in a single part could be discriminated from each other more quickly than could their distinguishing parts shown in isolation. Further experiments suggested that this" configural superiority" effect influenced perceptual components of processing rather than memorial …