Abstract
We previously found that observers optimally combine both global form and motion cues for heading perception. Here we examined how global form information affects heading perception in central vs. peripheral vision by using a radial Glass pattern composed of random dot pairs that contained a form-defined focus of expansion (FOE) and a radial flow field that contained a motion-defined FOE. Four display conditions were tested: (1) A static Glass pattern displayed either in central (15° in radius) or peripheral vision (the surrounding annulus, 15° in width) with the flow field displayed in central or peripheral vision correspondingly. The form FOE of the Glass pattern had 0o, ±5o, or ±10o offset from the motion FOE of the flow field. (2) An integrated Glass pattern composed of random-dot pairs in a 3D cloud displayed in central or peripheral vision with the flow field displayed in central or peripheral vision correspondingly. The random-dot pairs in the integrated Glass pattern were oriented toward one direction on the screen (the form FOE) to form a radial Glass pattern while moving in a different direction simulating forward self-motion (the motion FOE). The form FOE of the integrated Glass pattern was offset from the motion FOE of the flow field as before but its motion FOE was consistent with that of the flow field. Heading perception bias was largest when the integrated Glass pattern was in central vision followed when it was in peripheral vision. Although the global form information in the static Glass pattern could be easily separated from the flow field, it still biased heading perception with its effect again stronger in central than in peripheral vision. We conclude that global form information affects heading perception regardless of its retinal position though its effect is stronger in central than in peripheral vision.
Meeting abstract presented at VSS 2016