Linear Summation of Repulsive and Attractive Serial Dependencies: Orientation and Motion Dependencies Sum in Motion Perception

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.4601-15.2017
• Publication Date: 2017-03-23T01:04:29Z
• Authors: David Alais; Johahn Leung; Erik Van der Burg
• Keywords: Linear motion

Recent work from several groups has shown that perception of various visual attributes in human observers at a given moment is biased toward what was recently seen. This positive serial dependency kind temporal averaging exploits short-term correlations scenes to reduce noise and stabilize perception. To date, this stabilizing "continuity field" been demonstrated on stable such as orientation face identity, yet it would be counterproductive apply dynamic which change sensitivity needed. Here, we tested using motion direction discrimination predict negative perceptual dependency: contrastive relationship enhances change. Surprisingly, our data showed cubic-like pattern dependencies with components. By interleaving stimulus combinations, separated the components isolated for orientation. A weighted linear sum separate described original cubic well. The shows an integrative effect unexpected, although consistent priming. These findings suggest perception-stabilizing continuity field occurs pervasively, occurring even when obscures stimuli.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT studies show not entirely veridical, but rather seen stimuli: dependency. smoothing process helps by preserving aspects scene over time, yet, stimuli, blur dynamics We whether selective examining found clear motion, suggesting are pervasive. also concurrent (contrastive) Both combined linearly determine perception, showing brain can calculate simultaneously recent history making decisions.