Responses to Optical Looming in the Retinal Center and Periphery

Bibliographic Data

ID14982801
AuthorsThomas A Stoffregen (0000-0003-1467-9168, University of Alabama, corresponding author), Gary E Riccio (0009-0002-8613-1126, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign)
Year1990
Volume2
Issue3
Pages251-274
Publication date1990-09-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEcological Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1040-7413 • E-ISSN: 1532-6969
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1207/s15326969eco0203_3
OpenAlexW1987528535
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited22

Stoffregen (1985, 1986) found that the periphery of the retina is insensitive to radially structured optic flow specifying postural sway. This raised the issue of whether the retinal periphery is sensitive to radially structured flow per se, that is, to radial flow specifying events other than postural sway. In the experiment discussed herein we addressed this question in the context of optical looming. Computer-generated optical displays were presented to the retinal center or periphery of standing participants, who were required to dodge out of the path of the depicted object at the last moment before impact. Depicted trajectories were slightly eccentric, requiring participants to employ a directional response. Results showed that the trajectory and time-to-contact of the simulated object strongly influenced responses for peripheral as well as central looms. In general, responses to peripheral looms closely matched those to central looms. These findings indicate that the periphery of the retina is sensi

Cognitive psychology · Looming · Retinal · Gaze Tracking and Assistive Technology · Medicine · Psychology · Tactile and Sensory Interactions · Visual perception and processing mechanisms · Ophthalmology

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