Looking at the task in hand : vergence eye movements and perceived size

A retinal afterimage of the hand changes size when the same unseen hand is moved backwards and forwards in darkness. We demonstrate that arm movements per se are not sufficient to cause a size change and that vergence eye movements are a necessary and sufficient condition for the presence of the ill...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Experimental brain research 1997-12, Vol.117 (3), p.501-506
Main Authors: MON-WILLIAMS, M, TRESILIAN, J. R, PLOOY, A, WANN, J. P, BROERSE, J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Convergence, Ocular - physiology
Darkness
Eye and associated structures. Visual pathways and centers. Vision
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Hand
Humans
Optical Illusions - physiology
Size Perception - physiology
Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs
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Summary:A retinal afterimage of the hand changes size when the same unseen hand is moved backwards and forwards in darkness. We demonstrate that arm movements per se are not sufficient to cause a size change and that vergence eye movements are a necessary and sufficient condition for the presence of the illusory size change. We review previous literature to illustrate that changing limb position in the dark alters vergence angle and we explain the illusion via this mechanism. A discussion is provided on why altering limb position causes a change in vergence and we speculate on the underlying mechanisms.
ISSN:0014-4819
1432-1106
DOI:10.1007/s002210050246