The disappearance of foveal and nonfoveal stimuli: Decomposing the gap effect

Author(s): Kingstone, A., Klein, R. M.

Journal/Book: Can J Exp Psychol. 1998; 52: 151 Slater St, Ste 205, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5H3, Canada. Canadian Psychol Assoc. 192-200.

Abstract: When a foveal stimulus disappears prior to the appearance of a peripheral target, saccadic reaction times (RTs) are reduced. We compared this gap effect for foveal and nonfoveal stimuli when a highly predictive auditory warning signal was or was not presented. Without a tone, there was a gap effect for both foveal and nonfoveal stimuli; with a tone, there was a gap effect for foveal but not for nonfoveal stimuli. Highly predictive warning tones also modulated the gap effect in a manner that seemed to reflect top-down release of ocular inhibition. We argue that the gap effect therefore consists of three components: (a) warning effects; (b) release of ocular inhibition due to the disappearance of a foveal stimulus; and (c) release of ocular inhibition due to top-down processes.

Note: Article Taylor TL, Vanderbilt Univ, Dept Psychol, Vis Res Ctr, Wilson Hall, Nashville,TN 37240 USA

Keyword(s): HUMAN EXPRESS SACCADES; MONKEY SUPERIOR COLLICULUS; WARNING SIGNALS; EYE-MOVEMENTS; VISUAL-ATTENTION; FIXATION CELLS; REACTION-TIMES; LATENCY; OFFSETS; DISENGAGEMENT

Zurück | Weiter