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Poster Session B: Wednesday, August 13, 1:00 – 4:00 pm, de Brug & E‑Hall

A perceptual repulsion from gravitational expectations of acceleration

Nick Simpson¹, Kirsten Rittershofer¹, Emma K. Ward, Matan Mazor², Clare Press¹; ¹University College London, University of London, ²University of Oxford

Presenter: Nick Simpson

It is often observed that we are biased to report and perceive what is more likely to be there. However, an opposite, repulsive effect has recently been reported in the visual domain, such that objects are more likely to be reported as decelerating when moving downwards. We wished to examine the nature of this effect to better understand the nuanced influences of expectation on perceptual decisions. Across three experiments, we replicate this effect, demonstrate that the bias has contributions from retinal space as well as contextual cues concerning object position, and present evidence that it has a perceptual locus. That perception can be repelled from our expectations opens a host of questions concerning the complex interactions between learning and perception.

Topic Area: Predictive Processing & Cognitive Control

Extended Abstract: Full Text PDF