Stroboscopic Movement Based on Perceptual Intelligence

Abstract

Stroboscopic movement perception can be viewed as the solution on the part of the perceptual system of the problem posed by the alternating appearance and disappearance of the stimulus objects. Under typical conditions there is no information provided which could account for such inexplicable stimulus change, so that movement is the most ‘plausible’ solution. If, however, such information is provided, other solutions may be preferred, and motion will not be perceived. In several experiments it is demonstrated that, when an object alternately covers and uncovers two dots, movement is not perceived, provided (a) the object is in the location in front of where a dot had just appeared rather than to the side of this location, and (b) the object appears to be solid or opaque rather than outline. Under such conditions the dots appear to be permanently present entities undergoing covering and uncovering. This effect does not require that a physical object with edges progressively occlude and disocclude the dots, since a moving phenomenal square based on subjective contours only and a stroboscopically moving square also eliminate or minimize perceived movement of the dots. Control experiments employing the same spatial and temporal intervals show that, without the information supporting the covering—uncovering solution, movement typically is perceived. These findings are interpreted as supporting the theory that perception results from a process analogous to intelligent problem solving.