Robustness of audio-visual spatial disparity in peripheral field

Abstract

In our previous studies, a perceptual phenomenon, audio-visual peripheral spatial disparity (AVPSD), has been found. The spatial coincidence of perceived locations of a sound and flash presented in the peripheral field varies from their coincident physical location. Since the stimulus condition used in the previous experiments was limited, three new experiments were conducted to investigate the robustness of the spatial disparity between the perceptual and physical locations of the sound and flash. In Experiments 1 and 2, the frequency characteristics of the sound and the repetition of stimulus appearance were respectively changed from those used in the previous experiments. In Experiment 3, the presentation timing of the sound or the flash was delayed for one second. The results of Experiments 1 and 2 show that the spatial disparity was robustly appeared. In contrast, the spatial disparity disappeared in Experiment 3. These results suggest that the features of the stimulus pattern do not affect the spatial disparity, but the simultaneity of the sound and flash plays an essential role. Acknowledgment: This research was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Specially Promoted Research (No. 19001004) and Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B) (No. 21730584).