Abstract
It has long been known that the temporal characteristics of human peripheral vision differ markedly from those of foveal vision. Slowly moving peripheral stimuli, for example, can give rise to dramatically exaggerated estimates of their displacement1,2. More recently, Thorson et al.3,4 have shown that where two spots are flashed in sequence to peripheral vision with an interflash interval of 50 ms, a sensation of movement can be induced even when the spatial separation of the spots is below the static acuity threshold. These observations fit with several others5,6, suggesting that the visual system uses separate channels for signalling ‘motion’ as distinct from ‘change of location’, and that in some circumstances the integration of motion signals may make a dominant contribution to the perception of displacement. I now report a striking illusion which seems to reinforce and extend this conclusion.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Exner, S. Pflügers Arch. ges. Physiol. 11, 403–432 (1875).
Kries, J. Von in Handbuch der Physiologischen Optik Vol. III, 3rd edn (ed. Southall, J. P. C., English edn) 275–276 (Optical Society of America, 1925).
Thorson, J., Lange, G. D. & Biederman-Thorson, M. Science 164, 1087–1088 (1969).
Biederman-Thorson, M., Thorson, J. & Lange, G. D. Vision Res. 11, 889–903 (1971).
MacKay, D. M. Nature 181, 507–508 (1958).
MacKay, D. M. in Handbook of Sensory Physiology Vol. VII/3A (ed. Jung., R.) 307–331 (Springer, Heidelberg, 1973).
MacKay, D. M. Proc. physiol. Soc. September, 14P (1979).
Grüsser, O. -J. & Grüsser-Cornehls, U. in Handbook of Sensory Physiology Vol. VII/3A (ed. Jung, R.) 333–429 (Springer, Heidelberg, 1973).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
MacKay, D. Illusory reversal of extrafoveally perceived displacement. Nature 284, 257 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1038/284257a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/284257a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.