Perception of the ambiguous motion quartet: a stimulus-observer interaction approach

Abstract

Visual perception is the result of a highly complex process depending on both stimulus and observer characteristics and importantly, their interactions. Generating robust theories and making precise predictions in light of this complexity can be challenging and the interaction of stimulus- and observer-related effects is often neglected or understated. In the current study, we examined inter- and intra-individual differences and the effects of a wide range of three stimulus characteristics (i.e., spatial distance, temporal distance, and spatial location). Our results indicate that not all individuals show the same group average stimulus-driven effects on the perception of a MQ, and that these effects are not always equal across the entire stimulus range. Moreover, we observed that there are clear individual differences in spontaneous perceptual dynamics and that these can be overridden by some, but not all stimulus manipulations. We conclude that considering different stimulus manipulations and different observers and their interactions can provide a more nuanced and informative view on the processes governing visual perception.

V1 as an egocentric cognitive map

“…In Linton (2017) , pp.58–61, we ask why this process is presumed to be perceptual rather than cognitive? For instance, we see apparent motion between two dots blinking one after the other (‘beta motion’; Boeykens et al 2020 ). But take one of these dots blinking in isolation.…”