Eye-movements support chronometric imagery performance even when the task is occluded

Wakefield, Caroline and Roberts, James W. and Wood, Greg (2020) Eye-movements support chronometric imagery performance even when the task is occluded. Visual Cognition. ISSN 1350-6285 (Accepted for Publication)

Text (Visual Cognition paper) Visual_Cognition_paper.docx - Accepted Version Download (2MB)

Abstract

Mental chronometry has often been used to provide a temporal comparison between executed and imagined movements, with smaller discrepancies indicating more accurate image production and better imagery performance. In this study, we examined the importance of retinal and extra-retinal information in the performance of simple, sequential movements. After physical practice of four activities of daily living (Southampton Hand Assessment Procedure), nineteen participants imagined completing the same tasks with: 1)free eye-movements and visible objects, 2)free eye-movements and no visibility of the objects and 3)constrained eye-movements and visible objects. Results suggested imagery performance was slower/less accurate compared to physical execution, when the eyes were constrained. Conversely, chronometric imagery performance was unaffected with free eye movements, even when task-specific visual information was occluded. This study highlights the crucial role that eye-movements play in the regulation of the temporal aspects of imagery even when retinal information is absent, suggesting that temporal sequencing of imagined actions is largely dependent on extra-retinal information sources.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information and Comments:	This is an Author's Original Manuscript of an article submitted for consideration in Visual Cognition [copyright Taylor & Francis]; Visual Cognition is available online at https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/pvis20/current
Faculty / Department:	Faculty of Human and Digital Sciences > School of Health and Sport Sciences
Depositing User:	Caroline Wakefield
Date Deposited:	23 Jun 2020 11:15
Last Modified:	02 Mar 2021 11:49
URI:	https://hira.hope.ac.uk/id/eprint/3093

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