Trajectory Networks in Human Motion Processing

Wright State University, Dayton OH

Investigators

Abstract

The ability to perceive an object's motion is essential to our interacting with objects, including avoiding objects that are about to collide with us. In addition, our ability to predict where an object will emerge after traveling behind another object (occluder) depends upon our ability to accurately perceive the object's motion trajectory. This project is designed to better understand how the human visual system processes trajectory motion information. Several experimental approaches will be used to study trajectory motion processing. The accuracy of observers' speed and direction judgments of a target object will be measured and the effects of other moving objects (motion noise) on those judgments will be determined. How accurate observers can determine where an object, moving on a straight trajectory, will emerge from behind an occluder will also be measured. How this performance is affected by the length of time the object is hidden and the distance that the object travels while hidden will be determined. The same information will be obtained for objects moving on curved trajectories. It is expected that objects moving in similar directions and speed will have a large detrimental effect on judgments of a target object's motion while objects with dissimilar motions will have little effect. It is also expected that the if a moving object is hidden behind an occluder for an extended period of time and travels a large distance, predictions of where it will emerge will be poor. In addition, curved motion trajectories should make performance even worse. This project will help scientists better understand motion perception and how the brain processes trajectory motion information.