Spatially constrained locomotion under informational conflict

• Published in: Behavioural brain research Vol. 123; no. 1; pp. 11 - 15
• Main Authors: de Rugy, Aymar, Montagne, Gilles, Buekers, Martinus J., Laurent, Michel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier B.V 27.08.2001; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adaptation; Adaptation, Psychological - physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Conflict (Psychology); Environment; Environmental constraint; Foot - physiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Information; Locomotion; Miscellaneous; Motor Activity - physiology; Perception; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Space Perception - physiology; Virtual reality; Walking - physiology; Locomotion; Information; Environmental constraint; Virtual reality; Adaptation; Human; Perceptual adaptation; Walking; Investigation method; Vision; Body movement; Environmental factor; Perception; Environment; Experimental study
• ISSN: 0166-4328; 1872-7549
• DOI: 10.1016/S0166-4328(01)00185-1

This study investigates the informational based that supports intentional adaptation of locomotion to spatial environmental constraints. A virtual reality setup was used to present subjects with targets providing normal as well as abnormal optical expansion during locomotor pointing (i.e. positioning of a foot on a visible target on the floor during walking). The manipulation dissociated two variables providing temporal information about time-to-passage (TTP): TTP βα which encompasses target expansion, and TTP α which is independent of target expansion. While a previous study showed TTP α to be sufficient, the present results reveal that TTP βα may be used when it is available. This finding indicates that both variables play a role that varies according to the circumstances. Furthermore, the present results provide evidence of the operation of a security principle for action in conflicting situations.