Floating square illusion: perceptual uncoupling of static and dynamic objects in motion. 2006

Thomas A Carlson, and Paul Schrater, and Sheng He
Psychonomics Division, Helmholtz Research Institute, Universiteit Utrecht, The Netherlands. tom@wjh.harvard.edu

One of the primary goals of motion analysis is to accurately track the movement of objects in the environment. We report on a novel illusion in which two objects moving with identical physical velocities have different perceived velocities, creating an apparent offset in their relative spatial positions. The stimulus is a smaller object composed of a static noise pattern superimposed on a larger object composed of dynamic noise. When the two objects are moved, the smaller object appears to lag behind the larger object. In the present study, we report our observations on this novel effect. The results of our experiments indicate that the effect arises from differences in the perceived speed of static and dynamic patterns presented in the context of moving objects.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009039 Motion Perception The real or apparent movement of objects through the visual field. Movement Perception,Perception, Motion,Perception, Movement
D009903 Optical Illusions An illusion of vision usually affecting spatial relations. Illusion, Optical,Illusions, Optical,Optical Illusion
D010775 Photic Stimulation Investigative technique commonly used during ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY in which a series of bright light flashes or visual patterns are used to elicit brain activity. Stimulation, Photic,Visual Stimulation,Photic Stimulations,Stimulation, Visual,Stimulations, Photic,Stimulations, Visual,Visual Stimulations
D011698 Pursuit, Smooth Eye movements that are slow, continuous, and conjugate and occur when a fixed object is moved slowly. Pursuits, Smooth,Smooth Pursuit,Smooth Pursuits
D011930 Reaction Time The time from the onset of a stimulus until a response is observed. Response Latency,Response Speed,Response Time,Latency, Response,Reaction Times,Response Latencies,Response Times,Speed, Response,Speeds, Response
D012160 Retina The ten-layered nervous tissue membrane of the eye. It is continuous with the OPTIC NERVE and receives images of external objects and transmits visual impulses to the brain. Its outer surface is in contact with the CHOROID and the inner surface with the VITREOUS BODY. The outer-most layer is pigmented, whereas the inner nine layers are transparent. Ora Serrata
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013997 Time Factors Elements of limited time intervals, contributing to particular results or situations. Time Series,Factor, Time,Time Factor
D014796 Visual Perception The selecting and organizing of visual stimuli based on the individual's past experience. Visual Processing,Perception, Visual,Processing, Visual

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