Journal of Eye Movement Research

13 pages, 2204 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Distractors on Saccade-Target Selection: Saccade Trajectory Effects

by Robin Walker and Eugene McSorley

J. Eye Mov. Res. 2008, 2(3), 1-13; https://doi.org/10.16910/jemr.2.3.7 - 18 Dec 2008

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 56

It has long been known that the path (trajectory) taken by the eye to land on a target is rarely straight (Yarbus, 1967). Furthermore, the magnitude and direction of this natural tendency for curvature can be modulated by the presence of a competing [...] Read more.

It has long been known that the path (trajectory) taken by the eye to land on a target is rarely straight (Yarbus, 1967). Furthermore, the magnitude and direction of this natural tendency for curvature can be modulated by the presence of a competing distractor stimulus presented along with the saccade target. The distractorrelated modulation of saccade trajectories provides a subtle measure of the underlying competitive processes involved in saccade target selection. Here we review some of our own studies into the effects distractors have on saccade trajectories, which can be regarded as a way of probing the competitive balance between target and distractor salience. Full article

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18 pages, 449 KiB

Open AccessArticle

About the Global Effect and the Critical Role of Retinal Eccentricity: Implications for Eye Movements in Reading

by Françoise Vitu

J. Eye Mov. Res. 2008, 2(3), 1-18; https://doi.org/10.16910/jemr.2.3.6 - 18 Dec 2008

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 82

Abstract

In the present paper, I review evidence for the universality of the global effect, i.e. the general tendency to move the eyes towards the centre of gravity of the peripheral configuration, and show that the effect is strongly constrained by the retinal location [...] Read more.

In the present paper, I review evidence for the universality of the global effect, i.e. the general tendency to move the eyes towards the centre of gravity of the peripheral configuration, and show that the effect is strongly constrained by the retinal location of the stimuli. First, stimuli that are displayed in a central foveal region of a 1–1.5° radius fail to deviate the eyes in a centre-of-gravity manner; this is referred to as the foveal dead zone. Second, the stimuli that are too eccentric relative to the saccade target and/or the main stimulation site are filtered out. These limitations reflect physiological constraints and the dynamics of the patterns of activity in a visual saliency map. They form the basis for a low-level centre-of-gravity type account of eye guidance in natural perceptual tasks such as reading. Full article

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7 pages, 354 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fixation Disparity During Reading: Fusion, Not Suppression

by Simon P. Liversedge

J. Eye Mov. Res. 2008, 2(3), 1-7; https://doi.org/10.16910/jemr.2.3.5 - 18 Dec 2008

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 73

Abstract

In this paper I present a brief review of some recent studies my colleagues and I have carried out to investigate binocular coordination during reading. These studies demonstrate that the eyes are often not perfectly aligned during reading, with fixation disparities of approximately [...] Read more.

In this paper I present a brief review of some recent studies my colleagues and I have carried out to investigate binocular coordination during reading. These studies demonstrate that the eyes are often not perfectly aligned during reading, with fixation disparities of approximately one character on average. Both crossed and uncrossed disparities are common and vergence movements during fixations serve to reduce, but not eliminate disparity. Fixation disparity results in different retinal inputs from each eye, yet a single non diplopic visual representation of the text is perceived when we read. A further experiment, with dichoptically presented target words in normally presented sentence frames, showed that a mechanism of fusion rather than suppression operates at an early stage during visual processing. Saccade metrics appear to be computed according to a unified visual representation based on input from both eyes. Full article

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13 pages, 301 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cueing Visual Attention to Spatial Locations with Auditory Cues

by Matthew Kean and Trevor J. Crawford

J. Eye Mov. Res. 2008, 2(3), 1-13; https://doi.org/10.16910/jemr.2.3.4 - 18 Dec 2008

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 94

Abstract

We investigated exogenous and endogenous orienting of visual attention to the spatial location of an auditory cue. In Experiment 1, significantly faster saccades were observed to visual targets appearing ipsilateral, compared to contralateral, to the peripherallypresented cue. This advantage was greatest in an [...] Read more.

We investigated exogenous and endogenous orienting of visual attention to the spatial location of an auditory cue. In Experiment 1, significantly faster saccades were observed to visual targets appearing ipsilateral, compared to contralateral, to the peripherallypresented cue. This advantage was greatest in an 80% target-at-cue (TAC) condition but equivalent in 20% and 50% TAC conditions. In Experiment 2, participants maintained central fixation while making an elevation judgment of the peripheral visual target. Performance was significantly better for the cued side of the display, and this advantage was equivalent across the three expectancy conditions. Results point to attentional processes, rather than simply ipsilateral response preparation, and suggest that orienting visual attention to a sudden auditory stimulus is difficult to avoid. Full article

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20 pages, 415 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Binocular Coordination of Saccades: Development, Aging and Cerebral Substrate

by Zoï Kapoula, Marine Vernet, Qing Yang and Maria Pia Bucci

J. Eye Mov. Res. 2008, 2(3), 1-20; https://doi.org/10.16910/jemr.2.3.3 - 18 Dec 2008

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 57

Abstract

The origin of binocular coordination of saccades (central, peripheral) and the role of learning remain controversial (Hering vs. Helmholtz). We will present evidence for learning: in young children (5 years) horizontal saccades are poorly yoked, coordination improves slowly with age particularly at near [...] Read more.

The origin of binocular coordination of saccades (central, peripheral) and the role of learning remain controversial (Hering vs. Helmholtz). We will present evidence for learning: in young children (5 years) horizontal saccades are poorly yoked, coordination improves slowly with age particularly at near viewing distances. In dyslexic teenagers coordination of horizontal saccades is poor relative to non-dyslexics, suggesting slower learning. On the other hand, in healthy elderly participants (73 years) coordination of vertical saccades is intact, an example of a non ageing sub-system. To assess further central mechanisms, we applied TMS over the posterior parietal cortex of healthy adults, 100 ms after target onset. TMS impaired coordination particularly for rightward and downward saccades. Thus binocular coordination of saccades relies partially on cerebral function. Full article

15 pages, 328 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Complex Distractors in the Remote Distractor Paradigm

by Valerie Benson

J. Eye Mov. Res. 2008, 2(3), 1-15; https://doi.org/10.16910/jemr.2.3.2 - 18 Dec 2008

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 55

Abstract

Three experiments examined the influence of complex distractors on the Remote Distractor Effect (RDE), a robust finding of an increase is saccade latencies when two, rather than one possible targets are presented simultaneously (Walker, Deubel, Schneider & Findlay, 1997). In Experiment 1 saccade [...] Read more.

Three experiments examined the influence of complex distractors on the Remote Distractor Effect (RDE), a robust finding of an increase is saccade latencies when two, rather than one possible targets are presented simultaneously (Walker, Deubel, Schneider & Findlay, 1997). In Experiment 1 saccade onset latencies (SOL’s) were greater for central versus peripheral presentation for lexical distractors, but not for non-lexical distractors. Experiment 2 showed that repeated presentation of a distractor results in reduced SOL’s at central presentation, regardless of lexical status. In Experiment 3 differences in saccade onsets were obtained between two types of lexical distractor when presented at parafoveal locations. Detailed analysis revealed that although SOL's are modulated by distractor complexity, RDE magnitudes are not. Full article

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5 pages, 487 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Special Edition in Honour of John M. Findlay

by Robin Walker and Simon Liversedge

J. Eye Mov. Res. 2008, 2(3), 1-5; https://doi.org/10.16910/jemr.2.3.1 - 18 Dec 2008

Viewed by 53

Abstract

Professor John Findlay has made an outstanding contribution to the field of eye movement research at both a National and International level [...] Full article

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J. Eye Mov. Res., Volume 2, Issue 3 (December 2008) – 7 articles

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