title: Whole-motion model of perception during forward- and backward-facing centrifuge runs.
abstract: Illusory perceptions of motion and orientation arise during human centrifuge runs without vision. Asymmetries have been found between acceleration and deceleration, and between forward-facing and backward-facing runs. Perceived roll tilt has been studied extensively during upright fixed-carriage centrifuge runs, and other components have been studied to a lesser extent. Certain, but not all, perceptual asymmetries in acceleration-vs-deceleration and forward-vs-backward motion can be explained by existing analyses. The immediate acceleration-deceleration roll-tilt asymmetry can be explained by the three-dimensional physics of the external stimulus; in addition, longer-term data has been modeled in a standard way using physiological time constants. However, the standard modeling approach is shown in the present research to predict forward-vs-backward-facing symmetry in perceived roll tilt, contradicting experimental data, and to predict perceived sideways motion, rather than forward or backward motion, around a curve. The present work develops a different whole-motion-based model taking into account the three-dimensional form of perceived motion and orientation. This model predicts perceived forward or backward motion around a curve, and predicts additional asymmetries such as the forward-backward difference in roll tilt. This model is based upon many of the same principles as the standard model, but includes an additional concept of familiarity of motions as a whole.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematics, Colby College, Waterville, ME 04901, USA. jeholly@colby.edu
authors.forename: Jan E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Holly
authors.forename: Arturs
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vrublevskis
authors.forename: Lindsay E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Carlson
mesh_terms: D000054:Acceleration; D002498:Centrifugation / Q000379:methods; D003654:Deceleration; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009039:Motion Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D009949:Orientation / Q000502:physiology*; D010465:Perception; D012399:Rotation