Cite as:
Sinico M, 2000, "Path-length estimation of oscillating lines" Perception 29 ECVP Abstract Supplement

Path-length estimation of oscillating lines

M Sinico

The influence of some factors relating to an oscillating line on the path-length estimation was investigated.

In the first experiment, lines of five length values (10, 30, 50, 70, and 90 mm) were presented moving along two directions: vertically and horizontally. In the second experiment, velocity effects (30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 mm s^-1) on path-length estimation during ocular pursuit and during steady fixation were compared. The subjects observed the display from a distance of 500 mm. They had to adjust the amplitude of oscillation. The task was to make the path length of the oscillations equal to the length of the line. In general, results show an underestimation of the path length of an oscillating line. Moreover, the effect increases both when the line length and its velocity are increased. This effect is stronger during ocular pursuit.

The hypotheses that line movement shifts the system of reference and the illusion of apparent size shrinkage for a moving object (Ansbacher, 1944 Journal of Experimental Psychology 44 1 - 23) are discussed.

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