PSYC2390_7.2

Motion Perception

The process through which the visual system interprets motion in the environment.

Detection

The function of motion perception essential for survival, allowing organisms to notice movement.

Apparent Motion

The perception of motion when stationary stimuli are presented in slightly different locations.

Induced Motion

The phenomenon where stationary objects appear to move due to the movement of surrounding objects.

Motion Aftereffects

The optical illusion where a stationary object appears to move in the opposite direction after viewing motion for a prolonged period.

Ecological Approach

A perspective focusing on information available in the environment regarding motion.

Corollary Discharge Theory

A theory proposing that motion perception is influenced by signals from the eye muscles and image movement on the retina.

Receptive Field

The specific region of sensory space where a stimulus will trigger the firing of a neuron.

Directionally-Selective Neurons

Neurons that respond optimally to motion in a specific direction.

Reichardt Detector

A neural circuit model that detects motion direction by comparing signals from pairs of neurons.

Local Disturbance in Optic Array

The change in the pattern of light reaching the eyes due to the movement of objects in the environment.

Global Optic Flow

The movement pattern perceived when all elements in a scene are moving, indicating no specific motion direction.

Aperture Problem

The difficulty in accurately perceiving motion direction when observing a small part of a larger moving stimulus.

End Stopped Cells

Neurons in the striate cortex that respond to the movement of the ends of objects.

MT Cortex

A brain region critical for processing motion and pooling information from multiple motion-sensitive neurons.

Coherent Motion Paradigm

A method used to study motion perception, where varying degrees of motion coherence are tested.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

A non-invasive tool that disrupts neural activity in specific brain regions.

Point-Light Walkers

A method of representing biological motion using lights placed on the joints of a moving figure.

Biological Motion

The motion patterns that distinguish animate beings from inanimate objects.

Perceptual Organization

The process by which distinct visual elements are grouped together to form a perceptual whole.

Motor Signal (MS)

A signal sent from the brain to muscles directing eye movement.

Corollary Discharge Signal (CDS)

A copy of the motor signal sent to the comparator to help determine motion perception.

Image Displacement Signal (IDS)

The signal generated when an image moves across the retina.

Comparator

A neural mechanism that integrates different movement signals to determine motion perception.

Neural Circuit

The interconnected pathways through which neurons communicate information.

Complex Cells

Neurons in the visual cortex that respond to oriented bars of light moving in a specific direction.

Lesion

Damage to brain tissue, often used in studies to determine the function of specific brain areas.

Pooled Responses

The combined output of multiple neurons to enhance motion detection.

Motion Signals

Signals generated in response to movement that inform the brain about motion direction and speed.

Fusiform Face Area (FFA)

A brain region involved in facial recognition, located on the underside of the brain.

Extrastriate Body Area (EBA)

A brain area specialized in perceiving body motion.

Visual Processing

The interpretation of visual stimuli by the brain to form a coherent picture of the environment.

Survival Mechanism

Biological processes critical for the existence and well-being of an organism.

Sensory Signals

Information received by sensory systems regarding the environment.

Movement Direction

The trajectory or path along which an object moves.

Object Movement

The physical motion of an object across a given space.

Motion Interpretation

The brain's ability to understand and recognize the nature of movement.

Convergence of Signals

The integration of various neural signals to form a single perceptual outcome.

Motion Coherence

The degree to which moving dots or elements in a visual field move together to form a coherent motion.

Visual Field

The entire area that one can see at any given moment.

Temporal Resolution

The ability to detect changes in motion or visual stimuli over time.

Visual System

The part of the nervous system that enables the perception of visual stimuli.

Motion and Attention

The interrelation between how motion captures attention and influences perception.

Motor Cortex Activation

The neural activity in the motor cortex associated with the perception of possible movements.