The path of least persistence: Object status mediates visual updating

Abstract

On what basis does the visual system use recently sampled information to update existing representations of the world? One possibility is that representations are updated through an image-based point-for-point replacement process. An alternative possibility is that representations are updated on the basis of perceptually organized units that reflect objects in the scene rather than locations within the visual field. We report a new effect involving a modulation of visible persistence that seems to support this alternative possibility. In particular, we show that a moving stimulus leaves a visible trace of itself when it undergoes an abrupt and transient change in size but does not do so when the stimulus does not change. Further we show that this effect is substantially reduced when a scene-based reason for the abrupt change in size is provided (i.e., the object is shown to be passing behind an occluding surface that has a very small window in it through which the stimulus shows briefly). We suggest that the visible persistence in the face of change reflects a disruption of the normal updating process which is object-based and disrupted because of the discontinuity of the object. Providing a scene-based reason for the discontinuity allows the object representation to be maintained, and thus does not result in a disruption of the updating process.

Unmasking the standing wave of invisibility: An account in terms of object-mediated representational updating

“…It is assumed that when the visual system is faced with continuously changing information in the standing wave displays, it organizes the scene into a set of objects that are moving and changing over time. The idea is that the integration of newly sampled information into existing visual representations is mediated through the object representations that are formed through this organization process (e.g., Enns et al, 2008;Lleras & Moore, 2003;Moore & Lleras, 2005;Moore et al, 2007). To the extent that a stimulus is perceived as a later instantiation of an existing object within the current representation of the scene, that stimulus will be allowed to update that object representation.…”

“…As the central bar and mask become more dissimilar, they are less likely to be perceived as different instantiations of one object. As a consequence, the representation of the central bar is more likely to be protected from being overwritten by the surrounding rectangles (see also Moore & Enns, 2004;Moore et al, 2007).…”

“…This account relies on the assumption that representational updating is mediated through object representations (Enns, Lleras, & Moore, 2008;Lleras & Moore, 2003;Moore & Lleras, 2005;Moore, Mordkoff, & Enns, 2007). Given the right timing between the central bar and flankers, the visual contour formation.…”

Delivering a Unified Design Model (UDM) - To Align Design to the Way the Human Brain Processes Visual Information

“…Research by Moore, Mordkoff, and Enns (2007) found that the perception of moving visual elements was influenced by (and influences) the background over which the object moves. It was therefore assumed that moving animated objects over existing visual elements on the screen could possibly interfere with accurate perception.…”

The role of temporal synchrony in perceptual object formation and updating

“…The formation of a new object (object registration) will occur instead of updating of an existing object (object updating) as a direct consequence of the number and strength of cues present in an image signalling the likelihood of a new object. These cues include violations of spatial contiguity, geometric and chromatic similarity, and temporal simultaneity (Bennett, Lleras, Oriet, & Enns, 2007;Lleras & Enns, 2004;Moore et al, 2007). 2.…”