The role of smooth purcuit eye movement on motion-induced blindness

G Menshikova1, E Belousenko1, D Zakharkin2

1Psychology Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russian Federation
2VE-group, Russian Federation

Contact: gmenshikova@gmail.com

Previously [New and Scholl, 2008, Psychological Science, 19(7), 653–659] showed that motion-induced blindness (MIB) could persist through slow congruent movements of the target and fixation point. We studied in detail the role of horizontal and vertical congruent movements on MIB frequency. The MIB 3D displays consisted of two targets (yellow balls) surrounded by a mask (arrays of blue balls localized in 3D space, subtending 60º by 60º and moving as a whole around a fixation central dot). Four types of 3D displays were constructed: A) the fixation point and targets were stationary; B) the fixation point and targets oscillated smoothly along the horizontal axis at 1,1 º/s; C) along the vertical axis at the same velocity. The MIB 3D displays were presented using a virtual reality CAVE system. Twenty observers (age range 17—24) were tested. Observers reported targets disappearance by pressing joystick buttons. The results showed that MIB frequency decreased in B and C types as compared to A type. MIB disappearances for horizontal purcuit eye movement was slightly higher versus movement along the vertical axis. Our results indicate the important role of smooth-purcuit eye movement on MIB effect. Supported by the Federal Target Program (State Contract 8011)

Up Home