Visual Fixation Durations and Saccade Amplitudes: Shifting Relationship in a Variety of Conditions

  • Sebastian Pannasch Applied Cognitive Research/Psychology III, Technische Universitaet Dresden
  • Jens R. Helmert Applied Cognitive Research/Psychology III, Technische Universitaet Dresden
  • Katharina Roth Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn
  • Ann-Katrin Herbold Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn
  • Henrik Walter Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn
Keywords: eye movements, fixation duration, saccade amplitude, two visual systems, scene perception, text format, IAPS, mood induction

Abstract

Is there any relationship between visual fixation durations and saccade amplitudes in free exploration of pictures and scenes? In four experiments with naturalistic stimuli, we compared eye movements during early and late phases of scene perception. Influences of repeated presentation of similar stimuli (Experiment 1), object density (Experiment 2), emotional stimuli (Experiment 3) and mood induction (Experiment 4) were examined. The results demonstrate a systematic increase in the durations of fixations and a decrease for saccadic amplitudes over the time course of scene perception. This relationship was very stable across the variety of studied conditions. It can be interpreted in terms of a shifting balance of the two modes of visual information processing.
Published
2008-12-16
How to Cite
Pannasch, S., Helmert, J. R., Roth, K., Herbold, A.-K., & Walter, H. (2008). Visual Fixation Durations and Saccade Amplitudes: Shifting Relationship in a Variety of Conditions. Journal of Eye Movement Research, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.16910/jemr.2.2.4
Section
Articles