Assessing visual search performance using a novel dynamic naturalistic scene. 2021

Christopher R Bennett, and Peter J Bex, and Lotfi B Merabet
The Laboratory for Visual Neuroplasticity, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

Daily activities require the constant searching and tracking of visual targets in dynamic and complex scenes. Classic work assessing visual search performance has been dominated by the use of simple geometric shapes, patterns, and static backgrounds. Recently, there has been a shift toward investigating visual search in more naturalistic dynamic scenes using virtual reality (VR)-based paradigms. In this direction, we have developed a first-person perspective VR environment combined with eye tracking for the capture of a variety of objective measures. Participants were instructed to search for a preselected human target walking in a crowded hallway setting. Performance was quantified based on saccade and smooth pursuit ocular motor behavior. To assess the effect of task difficulty, we manipulated factors of the visual scene, including crowd density (i.e., number of surrounding distractors) and the presence of environmental clutter. In general, results showed a pattern of worsening performance with increasing crowd density. In contrast, the presence of visual clutter had no effect. These results demonstrate how visual search performance can be investigated using VR-based naturalistic dynamic scenes and with high behavioral relevance. This engaging platform may also have utility in assessing visual search in a variety of clinical populations of interest.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D008962 Models, Theoretical Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of systems, processes, or phenomena. They include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment. Experimental Model,Experimental Models,Mathematical Model,Model, Experimental,Models (Theoretical),Models, Experimental,Models, Theoretic,Theoretical Study,Mathematical Models,Model (Theoretical),Model, Mathematical,Model, Theoretical,Models, Mathematical,Studies, Theoretical,Study, Theoretical,Theoretical Model,Theoretical Models,Theoretical Studies
D003441 Crowding An excessive number of individuals, human or animal, in relation to available space.
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000076142 Virtual Reality Using computer technology to create and maintain an environment and project a user's physical presence in that environment allowing the user to interact with it. Virtual Reality, Educational,Virtual Reality, Instructional,Educational Virtual Realities,Educational Virtual Reality,Instructional Virtual Realities,Instructional Virtual Reality,Realities, Instructional Virtual,Reality, Educational Virtual,Reality, Instructional Virtual,Reality, Virtual,Virtual Realities, Educational,Virtual Realities, Instructional
D000084542 Eye-Tracking Technology Techniques used for EYE MOVEMENT MEASUREMENTS, which capture and measure a person’s EYE MOVEMENT and/or EYE GAZE. Eye Movement Data Analysis,Eye-Tracking,Eye-Tracking System,Eyetracking System,Eyetracking Technology,Gaze-Tracking,Gaze-Tracking System,Gaze-Tracking Technology,Gazetracking System,Eye Tracking,Eye Tracking System,Eye Tracking Technology,Eye-Tracking Systems,Eye-Tracking Technologies,Eyetracking Systems,Eyetracking Technologies,Gaze Tracking,Gaze Tracking System,Gaze Tracking Technology,Gaze-Tracking Systems,Gaze-Tracking Technologies,Gazetracking Systems,Technology, Eye-Tracking
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
D012438 Saccades An abrupt voluntary shift in ocular fixation from one point to another, as occurs in reading. Pursuit, Saccadic,Saccadic Eye Movements,Eye Movement, Saccadic,Eye Movements, Saccadic,Movement, Saccadic Eye,Movements, Saccadic Eye,Pursuits, Saccadic,Saccade,Saccadic Eye Movement,Saccadic Pursuit,Saccadic Pursuits

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