Cite as:
Kobayashi M, Fujii S, Iwaya Y, Suzuki Y, 2010, "Time-varying nature of the ventriloquism effect" Perception 39 ECVP Abstract Supplement, page 143

Time-varying nature of the ventriloquism effect

M Kobayashi, S Fujii, Y Iwaya, Y Suzuki

The perception of the spatial location of an auditory stimulus can be captured by a spatially disparate visual stimulus, a phenomenon known as the ventriloquism effect. Many studies have shown temporal and spatial dependency of this illusion, but its temporal dynamics are not fully understood. In this study, we presented participants with a three-minute audiovisual stimuli, consisting of a pair of light and sound noise. The time series reported were analyzed as perceptual transitions. The spatial disparity between a noise and a light was either 0, 5, or 10 degrees. Ten participants were instructed to observe the audiovisual stimuli without any particular observation attitude, and to report their position consistency of stimuli by pushing one of two buttons, which indicated ‘same’ or ‘different’ respectively. The participants were allowed to push a button whenever their perception changed. The results showed that (1) the mean total duration of the ‘same location ’ response increased as the disparities between noise and light decreased, (2) the percept switched during the stimulus presentation in all disparity condition after initial build-up of perception of ‘same location’, (3) the mean transition times varied depending on the disparity condition. These results show that the ventriloquism varies with observation time, suggesting that audiovisual spatial integration has a time-varying nature.
[Supported by Grant-in-Aid for Specially Promoted Research (No. 19001004)]

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