Testing a simplified method for measuring velocity integration in saccades using a manipulation of target contrast

Etchells, P.J, Benton, C, Ludwig, C and Gilchrist, I (2011) 'Testing a simplified method for measuring velocity integration in saccades using a manipulation of target contrast.' Frontiers in Psychology, 2 (115). ISSN 1664-1078

Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2011.00115

Abstract

A growing number of studies in vision research employ analyses of how perturbations in visual stimuli influence behavior on single trials. Recently, we have developed a method along such lines to assess the time course over which object velocity information is extracted on a trial-by-trial basis in order to produce an accurate intercepting saccade to a moving target. Here, we present a simplified version of this methodology, and use it to investigate how changes in stimulus contrast affect the temporal velocity integration window used when generating saccades to moving targets. Observers generated saccades to one of two moving targets which were presented at high (80%) or low (7.5%) contrast. In 50% of trials, target velocity stepped up or down after a variable interval after the saccadic go signal. The extent to which the saccade endpoint can be accounted for as a weighted combination of the pre- or post-step velocities allows for identification of the temporal velocity integration window. Our results show that the temporal integration window takes longer to peak in the low when compared to high contrast condition. By enabling the assessment of how information such as changes in velocity can be used in the programming of a saccadic eye movement on single trials, this study describes and tests a novel methodology with which to look at the internal processing mechanisms that transform sensory visual inputs into oculomotor outputs.

Item Type: Article
Keywords: saccades, contrast, velocity integration, motion, prediction
Divisions: School of Sciences
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2011.00115
Date Deposited: 10 Jul 2013 13:58
Last Modified: 15 Aug 2021 09:33
URI / Page ID: https://researchspace.bathspa.ac.uk/id/eprint/1047
Request a change to this item or report an issue Request a change to this item or report an issue
Update item (repository staff only) Update item (repository staff only)