The effect of object-centered instructions in Cartesian and polar coordinates on saccade vector
Jay A Edelman1, Alexa M Mieses2, Kira Konnova2
1Department of Biology, The City College of New York, New York, NY, USAThe Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, NY USAjedelman@ccny.cuny.edu.
Journal of Vision
|March 8, 2017
Summary
Cognition can influence express saccades (ES), the fastest eye movements. Spatial instructions affect ES direction and amplitude, but not reaction time, demonstrating cognition
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Express saccades (ES) are rapid, reflexive eye movements with minimal reaction times (70-110 ms).
- Previous research indicates spatial cognition can influence ES vector displacement.
- The extent of cognitive influence on different types of ES and with practice is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of various spatial instructions (Cartesian, polar amplitude, polar direction) on ES.
- To determine if practice influences the cognitive effects on ES.
- To examine the relationship between these cognitive effects and saccade reaction times (SRTs).
Main Methods:
- Participants performed saccadic eye movements in response to visual stimuli.
- Different spatial instructions were provided to guide saccade execution.
- Saccade vector, reaction time, and effects of practice were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Cartesian and polar amplitude instructions significantly altered ES vector but only modestly affected SRTs.
- Polar direction instructions impacted nonreflexive saccades more than ES.
- Practice had minimal effect, but instruction effects increased with SRT.
Conclusions:
- Cognition exerts a generalized influence on even the most reflexive saccadic eye movements.
- Spatial cognitive control over ES is robust and not significantly enhanced by practice.
- Findings suggest an innate capacity for cognitive modulation of rapid, automatic eye movements.
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