Assessing multisensory temporal cues for motion perception
Poster Presentation

Vanessa Harrar
York University, Psychology department

Laurence, R, Harris
York Univerisity, Centre for vision research

     Abstract ID Number: 155
     Full text: Not available
     Last modified: March 19, 2006
     Presentation date: 06/18/2006 4:00 PM in Hamilton Building, Foyer
     (View Schedule)

Abstract
Perceiving motion requires integration of spatial and temporal information in some cases across modalities. To investigate this integration we used three types of stimuli in a classic Ternus configuration: lights, mechanical touches and combined lights and touches. The three stimuli (ABC) were arranged in a row across three finger tips. A and B were presented and extinguished and, after a delay (varied using constant stimuli), B and C were illuminated and extinguished. Subjects were asked whether they perceived AB moving to BC or A moving to C. For all three stimulus types, at short delays A to C dominated, while at longer delays AB to BC dominated; possibly as a result of persistence at the short delays. The critical delay, where the perception changed, was significantly different for each unimodal type. Repeated exposure to visual group motion (AB to BC) caused a shift in the critical delay. The multimodal critical delay was tested against three models: optimal integration model, race model and vision alone.

Special thanks to Tom Troscianko and NSERC.