Detection and discrimination of optical flow components

Abstract

Observers viewed animation sequences consisting of random dots, some of which moved coherently in a given direction (signal dots) and the rest of which moved randomly (noise dots). Using forced-choice procedures, detectability of weak signals within noise was measured for translation, rotation, and expansion/contraction. Sensitivity to all motion types was approximately equal, with practiced observers reliably detecting coherent motion at signal levels as low as 4%. Observers were able to identify the motion structure presented on a given trial at signal levels corresponding to the detection threshold, implying that the neural signals supporting detection are labeled for motion type. Results are discussed in the context of hierarchical analysis of optic flow in which all motion types are registered as patterns of activity among neurons comprising a single mechanism. © 1998 Japanese Psychological Association. Published by Blackwell Publishers Ltd.