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Temporal evolution of the central fixation bias in scene viewing
Lars O M Rothkegel1, Hans A Trukenbrod1, Heiko H Schütt1,2
1University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.
Journal of Vision
|November 3, 2017
Summary
The central fixation bias, where eyes initially look at an image center, can be reduced by delaying the first eye movement (saccade) after image presentation. This finding impacts how we study visual attention and scene perception.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Computer Vision
Background:
- Observers viewing natural scenes on screens exhibit a central fixation bias, directing initial eye movements to the image center.
- This bias may obscure attentional processes influenced by image content and cognitive factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if delaying the initial saccade affects the central fixation bias.
- To understand the temporal dynamics of central fixation bias and its relationship with saccade latency.
Main Methods:
- Four experiments manipulated initial gaze position and delayed the first saccade onset relative to image presentation.
- Analysis of eye movement data, specifically the distance to the image center over time.
- Extension of a saccade generation model with a time-decaying central activation map.
Main Results:
- Delayed saccade onsets significantly reduced the central fixation bias for initial fixations.
- Initial saccade target selection was dependent on saccade latency.
- The extended computational model successfully replicated the observed central fixation bias.
Conclusions:
- The central fixation bias arises from a default activation pattern triggered by sudden image onset, which diminishes over time.
- Modifying scene viewing paradigms to decouple image onset from exploration start signals can mitigate this bias.
