Adaptation to relative and uniform motion

J Opt Soc Am A Opt Image Sci Vis. 2002 Aug;19(8):1465-74. doi: 10.1364/josaa.19.001465.

Abstract

We compared the discriminability of motion direction with a relative motion stimulus after prolonged exposure to relative or uniform motion. Experiment 1 showed that the velocity threshold for the relative motion test after relative motion exposure was higher than that after uniform motion exposure, whereas no such difference was found when we tested with a uniform motion stimulus. Experiment 2 showed that prolonged exposure to relative motion decreased the discriminability of speed differences more than exposure to uniform motion. These results suggest that the visual system's pathway for relative motion signals is different from that for uniform motion signals.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological*
  • Differential Threshold
  • Discrimination, Psychological
  • Humans
  • Motion Perception / physiology*
  • Photic Stimulation / methods
  • Time Factors