Research Paradigm as a Factor Influencing Estimates of Time-to-Contact

Abstract

‘Time-to-contact’ is a practical and theoretical construct. It is of practical significance since it plays a central role in how humans perceive and avoid collisions with the objects in their environment. Its theoretical importance lies in its recognition as a central pillar of the ‘ecological’ movement which emphasizes the environment in which action occurs. Time-to-contact studies have employed a paradigm to investigate time-to-contact which has included having a computer generated vehicle travel to a participant and be subsequently removed from the scene. A more ecologically valid scenario, which occurs everyday around the world, is to have the approaching vehicle become occluded by some naturally occurring object. The present investigation into the effects of a naturally occurring research paradigm versus a traditional time-to-contact research paradigm has revealed that participants were more accurate estimating time-to-contact when the approaching vehicle became occluded by a naturally occurring object. The theoretical and practical ramifications of the present research are discussed.

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