Illusory line rotation in expanding and contracting displays

Nicholas Wade, Michael Swanston

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Head movement towards and away from a display consisting of a stationary grating with a superimposed inclined line leads to the apparent rotation of the line. This phenomenon has been investigated using a television system with a motorized zoom lens to effect such transformations. The direction and magnitude of the apparent rotation depend upon the orientation of the line to the grating, reaching a maximum at a relative orientation of 45°. The shape of the angle function can be described by a simple formulation based on a vectorial analysis of the changes in the display. It is suggested that the apparent rotation is a consequence of a discrepancy between the perceived transformations of the line and the grating. The magnitude of apparent line rotation is influenced by the gravitational orientation of the background grating and by the phase and duration of zooming. The spatial characteristics of the line and grating have relatively little effect on the amount of rotation observed.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSensory Experience, Adaptation, and Perception
EditorsLothar Spillman, Bill R. Wooten
Place of PublicationNew York
PublisherPsychology Press Ltd
Chapter32
Number of pages14
Edition1
ISBN (Electronic)9780203781104
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1983

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