Perception of Accelerating Self-Motion: Global Optical Flow Rate Dominates Discontinuity Rate

Abstract

Owen, Wolpert, and Warren (1984) proposed that egospeed may be perceived from global optical flow rate, discontinuity rate, or both. Previous psychophysical research found that both sources of information influence judgments of acceleration and control of egospeed, but that discontinuity rate dominated. However, the validity of these results is questionable due to problems with the visual stimuli used, such as confounding of discontinuity rate with proximal flow rate and low frame rates. The current study examined the relative contributions of global optical flow rate and discontinuity rate to perception of accelerating self-motion with stimuli that lacked these problems. I found that global optical flow rate accounted for 60% of the variability in acceleration judgments, compared with 0.86% for discontinuity rate. This result indicates that discontinuity rate exerts only a minor influence, and global optical flow rate is the primary basis for perception of accelerating self-motion, and hence, egospeed.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Brandt

Dichgans

Koenig

(1973). Differential effects of central vs. peripheral vision on egocentric and exocentric motion perception. Experimental Brain Research, 16, 476–491.

Denton

G. G.

(1980). The influence of visual pattern on perceived speed. Perception, 9, 393–402.

Larish

J. F.

Flach

J. M.

(1990). Sources of optical information useful for perception of speed of rectilinear self-motion. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 16, 295–302.

Lestienne

Soechting

Berthoz

(1977). Postural readjustments induced by linear motion of visual scenes. Experimental Brain Research, 28, 363–397.

Owen

D. H.

Wolpert

Warren

(1984). Effects of optical flow acceleration, edge acceleration, and viewing time on the perception of egospeed acceleration. In Owen

D. H.

Optical flow and texture variables useful in detecting decelerating and accelerating self-motion. (Interim technical report for Contract No. F33615–83-K-0038, Task 2313-T3, pp. 79–133). Columbus: Ohio State University, Department of Psychology, Aviation Psychology Laboratory.

Stoffregen

T. A.

(1985). Flow structure versus retinal location in the optical control of stance. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 11, 554–565.

Wickens

C. D.

(1992). Engineering Psychology and Human Performance, 2nd Ed. New York: HarperCollins.