Document Detail


Perceptual limits of common fate.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  15126065     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
We studied the perception of a coherently moving group of collinearly arranged dots ("target dots") that traveled orthogonally to their linear orientation within a background of noise dots moving in random yet straight directions at constant speed ("random-direction noise"). Using a 2-interval forced-choice task we obtained coherence thresholds equal to a signal-to-noise ratio of 1-2%. These thresholds are lower than the 4-10% reported in the literature suggesting that the collinear arrangement of the target dots, in addition to movement, provided form information. Weber's Law was found to hold 4-7 target dots. Overall, sensitivity was constant for a broad range of dot speeds up to at least 6.5 deg/s. Lifetime required for optimal perception was 430 ms, far shorter than the threshold duration of 1 s reported for randomly distributed (i.e., nonaligned) target dots [Vis. Res. 41 (2001) 1891]. Angular deviations from parallel between adjacent motion trajectories were tolerated up to 27 deg for divergence and up to 19 deg for convergence. Diverging motion was detected earlier (after 600-800 ms) than converging motion (>1 s). Forced-choice discrimination yielded a higher proportion of correct responses than the actual (i.e., conscious) perception of the coherently moving group of dots. Our results are consistent with findings from neurophysiological recordings and neuroimaging of motion-sensitive neurons in areas V1 and MT showing broad tuning curves for speed and direction of a moving visual stimulus.
Authors:
Frank Stürzel; Lothar Spillmann
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Vision research     Volume:  44     ISSN:  0042-6989     ISO Abbreviation:  Vision Res.     Publication Date:  2004  
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2004-05-05     Completed Date:  2004-08-30     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0417402     Medline TA:  Vision Res     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  1565-73     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Brain Research Unit, University of Freiburg, Hansastrasse 9a, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Humans
Photic Stimulation
Psychophysics
Sensory Thresholds
Time Factors
Visual Perception / physiology*

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