Journal article

Publication year: 2000

Pages: 1423-1435

Journal: Perception

Volume number: 29

Issue number: 12

ISSN: 0301-0066

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1068/p3115

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Abstract: 
During everyday life the brain is continuously integrating multiple perceptual cues in order to allow us to make decisions and to guide our actions. In this study we have used a simulated (virtual reality-VR) visual environment to investigate how cues to speed judgments are integrated. There are two sources that could be used to provide signals for velocity constancy: temporal-frequency or distance cues. However, evidence from most psychophysical studies favours temporal-frequency cues. Here we report that two depth cues that provide a relative object-object distance-disparity and motion parallax-can provide a significant input to velocity-constancy judgments, particularly when combined. This result indicates that the second mechanism can also play a significant role in generating velocity constancy. Furthermore, we show that cognitive factors, such as familiar size, can influence the perception of object speed. The results suggest that both low-level cues to spatiotemporal structure and depth, and high-level cues, such as object familiarity, are integrated by the brain during velocity estimation in real-world viewing.

Harvard Citation style: Distler, H., Gegenfurtner, K., van Veen, H. and Hawken, M. (2000) Velocity constancy in a virtual reality environment, Perception, 29(12), pp. 1423-1435. https://doi.org/10.1068/p3115

APA Citation style: Distler, H., Gegenfurtner, K., van Veen, H., & Hawken, M. (2000). Velocity constancy in a virtual reality environment. Perception. 29(12), 1423-1435. https://doi.org/10.1068/p3115