Perceptual reversal of bi-stable figures in microgravity and hypergravity during parabolic flight. 2012

Gilles Clément, and Michael Demel
International Space University, Parc d'Innovation, 1 rue Jean-Dominique Cassini, Illkirch-Graffenstaden F-67400, France. clement@isunet.edu

This experiment investigated whether the perception of depth-reversible figures is altered when the observer is in microgravity or hypergravity. A set of five bi-stable ambiguous figures was presented to ten participants in 1g, 0 g, and 1.8 g during parabolic flight. The figures included static images such as the Necker cube; kinetic depth displays such as a moving plaid and a sphere cluster of moving dots appearing to rotate in one of two directions; and a silhouette photograph. For each stimulus figure, subjects reported which of the two possible perceptual configurations they saw first and then continuously indicated when perceptual reversals occurred for durations ranging from 20 to 30s. The same first percept was reported in 1g, 0 g, and 1.8 g. The time delay for the first reversal between the two possible image interpretations was longer and the number of reversals was fewer in 0 g as compared to 1g for four of the five figures. The opposite effects were seen when going from 0 g to 1.8 g. These findings confirm that, consistent with a multisensory approach to three-dimensional form perception, gravity has a clear effect on the interpretation of depth-based stimuli and this gravity-based component interferes with visual perception stability.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D001921 Brain The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM. Encephalon
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D014796 Visual Perception The selecting and organizing of visual stimuli based on the individual's past experience. Visual Processing,Perception, Visual,Processing, Visual
D055815 Young Adult A person between 19 and 24 years of age. Adult, Young,Adults, Young,Young Adults
D018471 Hypergravity Condition wherein the force of gravity is greater than or is increased above that on the surface of the earth. This is expressed as being greater than 1 g. High Gravity,Increased Gravity,Gravity, High,Gravity, Increased
D018474 Weightlessness Simulation Condition under normal Earth gravity where the force of gravity itself is not actually altered but its influence or effect may be modified and studied. (From ASGSB Bull 1992;5(2):27) Microgravity Simulation,Models, Weightlessness,Simulation, Microgravity,Simulation, Weightlessness,Weightlessness Model,Weightlessness Models

Related Publications

Gilles Clément, and Michael Demel
March 2018, Neuroreport,
Gilles Clément, and Michael Demel
April 2004, Aviation, space, and environmental medicine,
Gilles Clément, and Michael Demel
March 2022, The American journal of emergency medicine,
Gilles Clément, and Michael Demel
November 1998, Aviation, space, and environmental medicine,
Gilles Clément, and Michael Demel
January 2020, Frontiers in physiology,
Gilles Clément, and Michael Demel
August 2005, Neuroreport,
Gilles Clément, and Michael Demel
April 1998, European journal of applied physiology and occupational physiology,
Gilles Clément, and Michael Demel
April 2001, Aviation, space, and environmental medicine,
Gilles Clément, and Michael Demel
February 2007, Neuroscience letters,
Copied contents to your clipboard!