Compression of Space for Low Visibility Probes

Area of Science:

• Visual perception
• Neuroscience
• Psychophysics

Background:

• Perisaccadic compression of space describes stimuli appearing closer before a saccade.
• Previous research showed visual probes are attracted to a reference after a mask, even without saccades.
• The role of transient visual input disruptions (masking, saccades) in spatial compression was unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if spatial compression relies on transient visual disruptions (masking, saccades).
• To determine if low probe visibility alone can cause spatial compression.
• To examine the influence of probe contrast and duration on spatial compression.

Main Methods:

• Experiment 1: Varied mask coverage, adjusting probe contrast for equal detectability.
• Experiment 2: Compared mislocalizations across masking, saccades, and low-contrast conditions at different detection rates.
• Experiment 3: Assessed compression effects with varying probe durations for masks and saccades.

Main Results:

• Spatial compression occurred in all tested conditions, including those without masking or saccades.
• Low probe contrast alone, without disruption, induced compression.
• Probe contrast significantly influenced compression; compression decreased with increased probe duration.

Conclusions:

• Spatial compression is primarily driven by low probe visibility, particularly reduced contrast, rather than transient disruptions.
• The visual system's localization of weak targets within a context of highly visible stimuli underlies spatial compression.
• While visibility is key, other factors may also contribute to compression, especially with longer probe durations.