Adaptation and aftereffects in the visual system

[摘要] This thesis is concerned with the investigation of the nature of adaptation andaftereffects in the human visual system. We extend previous research first byspecifically investigating the temporal aspect of these processes. The technique wedevelop and present here offers a method of measuring the temporal dynamics ofvisual aftereffects which captures how the aftereffect is varying in both strength andduration. In the first experimental chapter we present data following the applicationof this technique to the Depth After Effect. We then go on to apply this technique tothe investigation of the Motion After Effect and in particular look at the temporaldynamics of this effect using different stimuli during adaptation. The results of thisform the second and third experimental chapter of this thesis. Having addressedaspects of the nature of visual aftereffects to both motion and disparity, we thenpresent an experiment looking at adaptation to both motion and disparity, and theeffect this has on an ambiguous stimuli, that of a transparent surface. We found thatobservers' biases for which direction of motion moved in front was influenced in amanner mostly consistent with a depth-contingent motion aftereffect followingadaptation. These results emphasize the critical role of neural structures sensitive toboth motion and binocular disparity in the perception of motion transparency. Insummary, this thesis addresses the nature of visual aftereffects and also presents amethod of measuring how they vary with time.

[发布机构] University:University of Glasgow;Department:School of Psychology

[关键词] BF Psychology