title: Visual search for type of motion is based on simple motion primitives.
abstract: Can we search for items based on their type of motion? We consider here visual search based on three types of motion: (i) ballistic motion, in which objects move in a straight line until they encounter a display boundary; (ii) random-walk motion, in which objects change direction randomly; (iii) composite motion, in which objects move with random fluctuations around a generally ballistic trajectory. The asymmetric pattern of search efficiency can be explained by assuming that visual attention is guided by processes sensitive to the presence of linear motion and change in motion. The results do not reveal a more sophisticated ability to segregate items based on the nature of their motion.
authors.affiliation: Visual Attention Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 64 Sidney Street, Suite 170, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. toddh@search.bwh.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Todd S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Horowitz
authors.forename: Jeremy M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wolfe
authors.forename: Jennifer S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: DiMase
authors.forename: Sarah B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Klieger
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004193:Discrimination Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009039:Motion Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D009903:Optical Illusions; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*