Oxyopia Abstract

january 25, 2002
Noon
489 Minor Hall

Preeti Verghese, PhD
Smith Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, San Francisco
Host: Martin Banks

Title

"Predicting future motion"

Abstract

Predicting the future course of a moving target is obviously invaluable for planning actions. We used trajectory detection in noise to investigate this predictive capability. Using a contrast probe technique, we showed that contrast increments are more easily seen at the end of the trajectory than at the beginning. Analyses of the contrast data revealed that the improvement at the end of the trajectory was due to a substantial reduction in the number of detectors monitored, as well as an increase in the gain of detectors responding to the increment. It appears that the first segment of the trajectory acts as an automatic cue that draws attention to subsequent segments of the trajectory, leading to enhanced detectability for predictable motion trajectories.

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