Eye pupil signals life motion perception

Abstract

The ability to readily detect and recognize biological motion (BM) is fundamental to survival and interpersonal communication. However, perception of BM is strongly disrupted when it is shown upside down. This well-known inversion effect is proposed to be caused by a life motion detection mechanism highly tuned to gravity-compatible motion cues. In the current study, we assessed the inversion effect in BM perception using a no-report pupillometry. We found that the pupil size was significantly enlarged when observers viewed upright BMs (gravity-compatible) compared with the inverted counterparts (gravity-incompatible). Importantly, such an effect critically depended on the dynamic biological characteristics, and could be extended to local feet motion signals. These findings demonstrate that the eye pupil can signal gravity-dependent life motion perception. More importantly, with the convenience, objectivity, and noninvasiveness of pupillometry, the current study paves the way for the potential application of pupillary responses in detecting the deficiency of life motion perception in individuals with socio-cognitive disorders.