Serial dependence and center bias in heading perception from optic flow.

Area of Science:

• Visual perception
• Computational neuroscience
• Human psychophysics

Background:

• Optic flow provides crucial information for self-motion (heading) perception.
• Perceived heading is subject to a 'center bias,' favoring the display's center.
• The brain exhibits sensitivity to serial correlations, influencing perception via serial dependence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate serial dependence in heading judgments independently of center bias.
• To examine the impact of optic flow noise on center bias and serial dependence.
• To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of heading perception biases.

Main Methods:

• Heading judgments were collected using optic flow stimuli.
• Statistical methods were employed to isolate serial dependence from center bias.
• Varying levels of noise were introduced to optic flow stimuli.

Main Results:

• A repulsive serial dependence effect was identified in heading judgments, distinct from center bias.
• Both center bias and repulsive serial dependence increased with added noise in optic flow.
• Noise-dependent changes in serial effects align with ideal observer models.

Conclusions:

• Center bias in heading perception may stem from a Bayesian prior favoring straight-ahead direction.
• Repulsive serial dependence acts to reduce response errors and counteract center bias.
• These findings offer insights into the adaptive strategies of the visual system in noisy environments.