The Hierarchical nature of perceiving direction of motion in depth from optic flow

Abstract

Monocular adaptation to flow fields of optic expansion and contraction juxtaposed on either side of fixation influenced subsequently perceived rotation direction of a figure rotating in depth (kinetic depth effect) about its vertical axis with a normally ambiguous direction. This influence was shown to be asymmetric since adapting to optic expansion produced significantly more aftereffects of translation in depth than did adapting to perceived rotation in depth when viewing a neutral test stimulus. The results are evidence for a hierarchical processing model for the perception of motion in depth from optic flow. Serendipitously, we discovered a new aftereffect from viewing kinetic depth rotation with direction specified by proximity-luminance covariation (PLC). The results and other research are discussed in terms of neural network models with synergistic interactions between levels.

Visual inertia of rotating 3-D objects

“…Extended exposure to a stimulus rotating unambiguously in one direction caused a subsequent stimulus to appear to rotate in the opposite direction. A similar finding had been reported earlier by Petersik (1984) and later by Ziegler and Dowling (1995). What was unique about Nawrot and Blake's (1989) study was the use of two control conditions.…”

“…Second, evidence for rotation aftereffects induced with figures in which the depth order of dots is based on a near-far luminance cue or occlusion is nonexistent, negative, or weak. Nawrot and Blake (1991a) found no aftereffects with a near-far luminance cue during adaptation, whereas Ziegler and Dowling (1995) demonstrated some aftereffects, but those obtained by the latter researchers were very long-lasting, showing little decay over 60 sec, unlike other aftereffects. Third, in informal experiments with extended adaptation to our own priming stimuli with a near-far luminance cue, we have been unable to elicit reliable rotation aftereffects.…”