A Comparison of the Latencies of Visually Induced Postural Change and Self-Motion Perception

Article type: Short Communication

Authors: Previc, Fred H.^{a; *} | Mullen, Thomas J.^b

Affiliations: [a] Crew Technology Division, United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks AFB, Texas | [b] Man-Vehicle Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Note: [*] Reprint address: Dr. Fred H. Previc, Crew Technology Division, Armstrong Laboratory, Brooks AFB TX 78235-5301.

Abstract: This study compared the latencies of visually induced postural change and self-motion perception under identical visual conditions. The results showed that a visual roll stimulus elicits postural tilt in the direction of scene motion and an increase in postural instability several seconds before the subject begins to perceive illusory self-motion (vection) in the opposite direction. Postural and vection latencies correlate highly with one another, but bear little relationship with the magnitude of either sway or vection.

Keywords: visual-vestibular interaction, posture, vection, spatial orientation

DOI: 10.3233/VES-1991-1310

Journal: Journal of Vestibular Research, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 317-323, 1991