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Wilson M, Hecker L, Joos E, Aertsen A, Tebartz van Elst L, Kornmeier J. Spontaneous Necker-cube reversals may not be that spontaneous. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 17:1179081. [PMID: 37323933 PMCID: PMC10268006 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1179081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction During observation of the ambiguous Necker cube, our perception suddenly reverses between two about equally possible 3D interpretations. During passive observation, perceptual reversals seem to be sudden and spontaneous. A number of theoretical approaches postulate destabilization of neural representations as a pre-condition for reversals of ambiguous figures. In the current study, we focused on possible Electroencephalogram (EEG) correlates of perceptual destabilization, that may allow prediction of an upcoming perceptual reversal. Methods We presented ambiguous Necker cube stimuli in an onset-paradigm and investigated the neural processes underlying endogenous reversals as compared to perceptual stability across two consecutive stimulus presentations. In a separate experimental condition, disambiguated cube variants were alternated randomly, to exogenously induce perceptual reversals. We compared the EEG immediately before and during endogenous Necker cube reversals with corresponding time windows during exogenously induced perceptual reversals of disambiguated cube variants. Results For the ambiguous Necker cube stimuli, we found the earliest differences in the EEG between reversal trials and stability trials already 1 s before a reversal occurred, at bilateral parietal electrodes. The traces remained similar until approximately 1100 ms before a perceived reversal, became maximally different at around 890 ms (p = 7.59 × 10-6, Cohen's d = 1.35) and remained different until shortly before offset of the stimulus preceding the reversal. No such patterns were found in the case of disambiguated cube variants. Discussion The identified EEG effects may reflect destabilized states of neural representations, related to destabilized perceptual states preceding a perceptual reversal. They further indicate that spontaneous Necker cube reversals are most probably not as spontaneous as generally thought. Rather, the destabilization may occur over a longer time scale, at least 1 s before a reversal event, despite the reversal event as such being perceived as spontaneous by the viewer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mareike Wilson
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Institute for Frontier Areas of Psychology and Mental Health, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lukas Hecker
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Institute for Frontier Areas of Psychology and Mental Health, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ellen Joos
- INSERM U1114, Cognitive Neuropsychology and Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia, Strasbourg, France
| | - Ad Aertsen
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Bernstein Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ludger Tebartz van Elst
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Kornmeier
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Institute for Frontier Areas of Psychology and Mental Health, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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2
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Structure of visual biases revealed by individual differences. Vision Res 2022; 195:108014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2022.108014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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3
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Kondo A, Murai Y, Whitney D. The test-retest reliability and spatial tuning of serial dependence in orientation perception. J Vis 2022; 22:5. [PMID: 35293956 PMCID: PMC8944387 DOI: 10.1167/jov.22.4.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans perceive objects and scenes consistently, even in situations where visual input is noisy and unstable. One of the mechanisms that underlies this perceptual stability is serial dependence, whereby the perception of objects or features at any given moment is pulled toward what was previously seen. Although recent findings from several studies have reported large individual differences in serial dependence, it is not clear how stable the serial dependence is within an individual. Here, we investigated the stability of serial dependence in orientation perception over two different days within the same observers. In addition, we also examined the visual field location specificity of perceptual serial dependence. On each trial, observers viewed a Gabor patch and then reported its apparent orientation by adjusting the orientation of a bar. For each observer, the Gabor was located in the foveal or peripheral (10° right or left eccentricity) visual field on both days or changed location from day to day. The results showed a very high degree of test-retest reliability in serial dependence measured across days within individual observers. Interestingly, this high within-subject consistency was only found when serial dependence was measured at the same visual field location. These results suggest that individual differences in serial dependence are stable across days, and that the spatiotemporal range in which the previous stimulus assimilates the perception of the current stimulus (the continuity field) may vary across different visual field locations in an observer-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aki Kondo
- Waseda Institute for Advanced Study, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuki Murai
- University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - David Whitney
- University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
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Boeykens C, Wagemans J, Moors P. Perception of the ambiguous motion quartet: A stimulus-observer interaction approach. J Vis 2021; 21:12. [PMID: 34964859 PMCID: PMC8740533 DOI: 10.1167/jov.21.13.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Visual perception is the result of a highly complex process depending on both stimulus and observer characteristics and, importantly, their interactions. Generating robust theories and making precise predictions in light of this complexity can be challenging, and the interaction of stimulus- and observer-related effects is often neglected or understated. In the current study, we examined inter- and intra-individual differences and the effects of a wide range of three stimulus characteristics (i.e., spatial distance, temporal distance, and spatial location). Our results indicate that not all individuals show the same group average stimulus-driven effects on the perception of a motion quartet and that these effects are not always equal across the entire stimulus range. Moreover, we observed that there are clear individual differences in spontaneous perceptual dynamics and that these can be overridden by some but not all stimulus manipulations. We conclude that considering different stimulus manipulations, different observers, and their interactions can provide a more nuanced and informative view on the processes governing visual perception. This study examines the effect of spatial distance, spatiotemporal distance, spatial location, and individual differences on the perception of the ambiguous motion quartet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Boeykens
- Laboratory of Experimental Psychology, Department of Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,
| | - Johan Wagemans
- Laboratory of Experimental Psychology, Department of Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,
| | - Pieter Moors
- Laboratory of Experimental Psychology, Department of Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,
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5
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Cretenoud AF, Grzeczkowski L, Kunchulia M, Herzog MH. Individual differences in the perception of visual illusions are stable across eyes, time, and measurement methods. J Vis 2021; 21:26. [PMID: 34029369 PMCID: PMC8164370 DOI: 10.1167/jov.21.5.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Vision scientists have tried to classify illusions for more than a century. For example, some studies suggested that there is a unique common factor for all visual illusions. Other studies proposed that there are several subclasses of illusions, such as illusions of linear extent or distortions. We previously observed strong within-illusion correlations but only weak between-illusion correlations, arguing in favor of an even higher multifactorial space with-more or less-each illusion making up its own factor. These mixed results are surprising. Here, we examined to what extent individual differences in the perception of visual illusions are stable across eyes, time, and measurement methods. First, we did not find any significant differences in the magnitudes of the seven illusions tested with monocular or binocular viewing conditions. In addition, illusion magnitudes were not significantly predicted by visual acuity. Second, we observed stable individual differences over time. Last, we compared two illusion measurements, namely an adjustment procedure and a method of constant stimuli, which both led to similar individual differences. Hence, it is unlikely that the individual differences in the perception of visual illusions arise from instability across eyes, time, and measurement methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline F Cretenoud
- Laboratory of Psychophysics, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,
| | - Lukasz Grzeczkowski
- Laboratory of Psychophysics, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Active Perception and Cognition, Department of Psychology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,
| | - Marina Kunchulia
- Institute of Cognitive Neurosciences, Free University of Tbilisi, Tbilisi, Georgia.,Laboratory of Vision Physiology, Ivane Beritashvili Center of Experimental Biomedicine, Tbilisi, Georgia.,
| | - Michael H Herzog
- Laboratory of Psychophysics, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,
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Hwang BW, Schütz AC. Idiosyncratic preferences in transparent motion and binocular rivalry are dissociable. J Vis 2020; 20:3. [PMID: 33156337 PMCID: PMC7671871 DOI: 10.1167/jov.20.12.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies revealed that there are idiosyncratic preferences to perceive certain motion directions in front during motion transparency depth rivalry (Mamassian & Wallace, 2010; Schütz, 2014). Meanwhile, other studies reported idiosyncratic preferences in binocular rivalry during the onset stage (Carter & Cavanagh, 2007; Stanley, Carter, & Forte, 2011). Here we investigated the relationship of idiosyncratic preferences in transparent motion and binocular rivalry. We presented two dot clouds that were moving in opposite directions. In the transparent motion condition, both dot clouds were presented to both eyes and participants had to report the dot cloud they perceived in front. In the binocular rivalry condition, the dot clouds were presented to different eyes and participants had to report the dominant dot cloud. There were strong idiosyncratic directional preferences in transparent motion and rather weak directional preferences in binocular rivalry. In general, binocular rivalry was dominated by biases in contrast polarity, whereas transparent motion was dominated by biases in motion direction. A circular correlation analysis showed no correlation between directional preferences in transparent motion and binocular rivalry. These findings show that idiosyncratic preferences in a visual feature can be dissociated at different stages of processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byung-Woo Hwang
- Allgemeine und Biologische Psychologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,
| | - Alexander C Schütz
- Allgemeine und Biologische Psychologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany., https://www.uni-marburg.de/en/fb04/team-schuetz/team/alexander-schutz
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Finlayson NJ, Neacsu V, Schwarzkopf DS. Spatial Heterogeneity in Bistable Figure-Ground Perception. Iperception 2020; 11:2041669520961120. [PMID: 33194167 PMCID: PMC7594238 DOI: 10.1177/2041669520961120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The appearance of visual objects varies substantially across the visual field. Could such spatial heterogeneity be due to undersampling of the visual field by neurons selective for stimulus categories? Here, we show that which parts of a bistable vase-face image observers perceive as figure and ground depends on the retinal location where the image appears. The spatial patterns of these perceptual biases were similar regardless of whether the images were upright or inverted. Undersampling by neurons tuned to an object class (e.g., faces) or variability in general local versus global processing cannot readily explain this spatial heterogeneity. Rather, these biases could result from idiosyncrasies in low-level sensitivity across the visual field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nonie J. Finlayson
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University College
London, London, UK; School of Optometry & Vision Science, University of Auckland,
Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Victorita Neacsu
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University College
London, London, UK; School of Optometry & Vision Science, University of Auckland,
Auckland, New Zealand
| | - D. S. Schwarzkopf
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University College
London, London, UK; School of Optometry & Vision Science, University of Auckland,
Auckland, New Zealand
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8
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Samaey C, Wagemans J, Moors P. Individual differences in processing orientation and proximity as emergent features. Vision Res 2020; 169:12-24. [PMID: 32143067 DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2020.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Numerous examples of meaningful inter-individual differences in visual processing have been documented in low- and high-level vision. For mid-level vision or perceptual organization, vision scientists have only recently started to study the inter-individual differences structure. In this study, we focus on orientation and proximity as emergent features and combine a quantitative information processing approach with an individual differences approach. We first replicated the results reported in Hawkins, Houpt, Eidels, and Townsend (2016) in a set of 52 observers. That is, observers showed higher processing capacity for detecting a change in a stimulus configuration when the emergent features orientation or proximity were changed. Next, we asked whether individual differences processing capacities were similar across emergent features. The capacity to detect any type of change correlated moderately across individuals, whereas the capacity to detect changes in either emergent feature alone was not strongly correlated. This indicates that there is no general sensitivity to emergent features and that observers can be good at detecting orientation changes whilst being poor at detecting proximity changes (and vice versa). An additional exploratory multivariate analysis of the data revealed that response times and accuracies correlated strongly within each emergent feature. Moreover, specific factors related to change detection and inward displacements were observed, revealing consistent individual differences in our data. We discuss the results in the context of the literature on individual differences in vision where both specific, fragmented factors as well as broad, general factors have been reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celine Samaey
- Laboratory of Experimental Psychology, Department of Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, Belgium; Center for Clinical Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johan Wagemans
- Laboratory of Experimental Psychology, Department of Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pieter Moors
- Laboratory of Experimental Psychology, Department of Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, Belgium.
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9
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Polgári P, Causin JB, Weiner L, Bertschy G, Giersch A. Novel method to measure temporal windows based on eye movements during viewing of the Necker cube. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0227506. [PMID: 31940327 PMCID: PMC6961897 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bistable stimuli can give rise to two different interpretations between which our perception will alternate. Recent results showed a strong coupling between eye movements and reports of perceptual alternations with motion stimuli, which provides useful tools to objectively assess perceptual alternations. However, motion might entrain eye movements, and here we check with a static picture, the Necker cube, whether eye movements and perceptual reports (manual responses) reveal similar or different alternation rates, and similar or different sensitivity to attention manipulations. Using a cluster analysis, ocular temporal windows were defined based on the dynamics of ocular fixations during viewing of the Necker cube and compared to temporal windows extracted from manual responses. Ocular temporal windows were measured also with a control condition, where the physical stimulus presented to viewers alternated between two non-ambiguous versions of the Necker cube. Attention was manipulated by asking subjects to either report spontaneous alternations, focus on one percept, or switch as fast as possible between percepts. The validity of the ocular temporal windows was confirmed by the correspondence between ocular fixations when the physical stimulus changed and when the bistable Necker cube was presented. Ocular movements defined smaller time windows than time windows extracted from manual responses. The number of manual and ocular windows both increased between the spontaneous condition and the switch condition. However, only manual, and not ocular windows, increased in duration in the focus condition. Manual responses involve decisional mechanisms, and they may be decoupled from automatic oscillations between the two percepts, as suggested by the fact that both the number and duration of ocular windows remained stable between the spontaneous and focus conditions. In all, the recording of eye movements provides an objective measure of time windows, and reveals faster perceptual alternations with the Necker cube and less sensitivity to attention manipulations than manual responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrik Polgári
- INSERM U1114, Strasbourg, France
- University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jean-Baptiste Causin
- INSERM U1114, Strasbourg, France
- University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Psychiatry Department, University Hospital of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Luisa Weiner
- INSERM U1114, Strasbourg, France
- University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Psychiatry Department, University Hospital of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Gilles Bertschy
- INSERM U1114, Strasbourg, France
- University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Psychiatry Department, University Hospital of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Anne Giersch
- INSERM U1114, Strasbourg, France
- University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Psychiatry Department, University Hospital of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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