Attentional load inhibits vection.

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Human Perception

Background:

• Vection, the illusory sensation of self-motion, is a complex perceptual phenomenon.
• The role of cognitive processes, particularly attention, in modulating vection remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of cognitive load on vection induction.
• To determine if attentional resource allocation influences the subjective experience and duration of vection.

Main Methods:

• Experiment 1: Assessed vection during simultaneous performance of a rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) task.
• Experiment 2: Examined vection during simultaneous performance of a multiple-object-tracking (MOT) task.
• Subjective ratings and duration measurements were collected for vection experiences.

Main Results:

• The RSVP task significantly altered the subjective strength of vection.
• Simultaneous engagement in the MOT task led to a reduction in both the duration and subjective strength of vection.
• Both cognitive tasks demonstrated an inhibitory effect on vection.

Conclusions:

• Vection induction is modulated by the performance of attention-demanding cognitive tasks.
• These findings support the hypothesis that vection requires attentional resources.
• Cognitive load can attenuate the experience of self-motion illusion.