Time and space perception in audition and vision

Li, Min (2019). Time and space perception in audition and vision. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Time and space are fundamental elements in the perceptual decision-making mechanism. However, because signals perceived by multiple senses have different sensory characteristics, it is challenging to understand the causal structure of spatial and temporal properties obtained through audition and vision. This thesis focuses on the mutual influence between spatial and temporal property in perception, and how sources of information integrate to enhance the quality of sensory experiences. The studies in this thesis modulate sensory expectation and perceptual weighting of audio-visual signals to investigate how human brain makes sensory predictions with the uncertainty. Chapter One provides a review of psychophysical methods and decision models for signal detection and discrimination. In addition, it introduces the sensory processing of spatial and temporal information in auditory and visual mechanism. Chapter Two to Five are empirical chapters that use psychophysical approach to examine the interdependency in perceived time and space, with a focus in discrimination performance and perceived biases. The results suggest that audio-visual perception is subject to a range of perceptual factors, such as signal reliability, perceptual latency and the perceptual task. Chapter Six concludes the finding and summarizes the outcome in a broader research context. Overall, this thesis contributes to the current knowledge of audio-visual processing of temporal and spatial information in human perception.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):