title: Adaptation minimizes distance-related audiovisual delays.
abstract: A controversial hypothesis within the domain of sensory research is that observers are able to use visual and auditory distance cues to maintain perceptual synchrony--despite the differential velocities of light and sound. Here we show that observers are categorically unable to utilize such distance cues. Nevertheless, given a period of adaptation to the naturally occurring audiovisual asynchrony associated with each viewing distance, a temporal recalibration mechanism helps to perceptually compensate for the effects of distance-induced auditory delays. These effects demonstrate a novel functionality of temporal recalibration with clear ecological benefits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Optometry, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK. j.heron2@bradford.ac.uk
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heron
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Whitaker
authors.forename: Paul V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: McGraw
authors.forename: Kirill V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Horoshenkov
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D002138:Calibration; D003463:Cues; D004215:Distance Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D013997:Time Factors; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*