The proposed research tests a theory of visual/spatial representation that addresses the fact that at any moment in time, sensory input delivers only a partial view of the continuous world. In visual scanning, the eyes sample the environment as rapidly as 3-4 times per second, and in haptic exploration (without vision) hands successively examine relatively small regions over time. It is proposed that a single limited """"""""view"""""""" of a scene activates representation of anticipated surrounding space. This anticipatory projection serves to facilitate integration of successive inputs, but also has important implications for memory. Observers remember having seen (or touched) parts of a scene that were anticipated, but never actually experienced (e.g. a phenomenon called """"""""boundary extension"""""""".) In addition to broadening our understanding of spatial representation, the proposed research has implications for individuals with brain damage (e.g., hemi-neglect), and those with sensory deficits. The proposed research will address: a) the effects of planning an eye movement on the ensuing spatial representation of a scene; in particular addressing the issue of whether boundary extension will increase or decrease in the about-to-be-fixated region b) the similarities and differences in spatial representation following visual Vs. haptic (while blindfolded) exploration by sighted observers, and in some cases, those with sensory deficits, c) the accuracy of cross-modal transfer of spatial information, and c) how the relations among objects influence accuracy in memory of spatial layout. Procedures include visual and/or haptic (without vision) exploration of real scenes, or visual exploration of digitized photographs in conjunction with eye tracking techniques. Memory tests will involve recall and recognition procedures as well as new interactive memory tests involving the reconstruction of a view in real space or on a computer screen.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH054688-05
Application #
6773923
Study Section
Biobehavioral and Behavioral Processes 3 (BBBP)
Program Officer
Kurtzman, Howard S
Project Start
1997-02-01
Project End
2007-05-31
Budget Start
2004-06-01
Budget End
2005-05-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$169,875
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Delaware
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
059007500
City
Newark
State
DE
Country
United States
Zip Code
19716
Intraub, Helene; Morelli, Frank; Gagnier, Kristin M (2015) Visual, haptic and bimodal scene perception: evidence for a unitary representation. Cognition 138:132-47
Michod Gagnier, Kristin; Dickinson, Christopher A; Intraub, Helene (2013) Fixating picture boundaries does not eliminate boundary extension: implications for scene representation. Q J Exp Psychol (Hove) 66:2161-86
Gagnier, Kristin Michod; Intraub, Helene (2012) When less is more: Line-drawings lead to greater boundary extension than color photographs. Vis cogn 20:815-824
Dickinson, Christopher A; Intraub, Helene (2009) Spatial asymmetries in viewing and remembering scenes: consequences of an attentional bias? Atten Percept Psychophys 71:1251-62
Dickinson, Christopher A; Intraub, Helene (2008) Transsaccadic representation of layout: what is the time course of boundary extension? J Exp Psychol Hum Percept Perform 34:543-55
Intraub, Helene; Dickinson, Christopher A (2008) False memory 1/20th of a second later: what the early onset of boundary extension reveals about perception. Psychol Sci 19:1007-14
Intraub, Helene (2004) Anticipatory spatial representation of 3D regions explored by sighted observers and a deaf-and-blind-observer. Cognition 94:19-37