Cite as:
Wade N J, Swanston M T, Guthrie W, Shimono K, 2002, "Flicker and interocular transfer of the motion aftereffect" Perception 31 ECVP Abstract Supplement

Flicker and interocular transfer of the motion aftereffect

N J Wade, M T Swanston, W Guthrie, K Shimono

The motion aftereffect (MAE) exhibits interocular transfer (IOT): adapting to motion using one eye can yield an MAE when the other is tested. With static test displays the IOT is around 30% - 50% of that generated monocularly. The situation is said to be otherwise when a flickering or phase-alternating test pattern is observed. IOT can be 100% of monocular MAEs, and considerable theoretical import has been posited in this difference between static and dynamic test patterns. It is easy to overlook the importance of any implicit boundaries in displays, and they can influence the results obtained in subtle ways. When all the frames of reference in the display are recognised, then novel ways of assessing the influence of stimulus factors on MAEs can be applied. If displays of the type introduced by Swanston and Wade (1992 Perception 21 569 - 582) are used, then the effects of adaptation and test processes can be teased apart. We have adopted this method for examining the influence of flicker (phase alternation) on the test regions that were adapted to motion and those in which the MAE is expressed. All conditions involved adaptation to two laterally moving surround gratings, and the duration of the MAE was measured with three static gratings, three flickering gratings, three gratings in which the surrounds alone flickered, and three gratings in which the centre alone flickered. Each of the four conditions was measured monocularly and for IOT. A flickering test field does make the MAE more difficult to see, but it does not appreciably influence the pattern of results in comparison with a static test. The ratios between monocular and IOT MAEs are similar, being around 30%. Flicker reduced the durations of MAEs but a similar pattern was found for comparisons between monocular and IOT conditions.

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