Looking for Moving or Stationary Targets in Dynamic Displays

Abstract

Research has shown that searching for the presence of a feature among featureless distractors is easier than searching for the absence of a feature among distractor objects containing the feature. The present study examined motion perception within this context while manipulating motion type and target density. Further, the element of angular expansion was also included as part of the moving stimuli. Using a standard computer interface, participants were asked to respond as quickly as they could to a variety of moving stimuli. Results showed that it takes more time to detect stationary targets among moving distractors than to find moving targets among stationary distractors. Further, adding targets or using coherent motion, facilitated detection times primarily within the absence of motion condition. These findings could have important design implications when constructing dynamic displays that require immediate attention to critical information.