Effects of Motion Speed and Image Tilt Angle on the Perception of Lissajous Figures

Abstract

Lissajous figures can be perceived as two distinct 3-D structures rotating around different axes. According to past studies, observers tend to perceive interpretation associated with slower motion. Additionally, a perceptual bias toward vertical-axis rotation has been reported. The present study aimed to examine the influence of motion speed and image tilt angles on the rotational axis, and to evaluate these factors as predictors for modeling the rotational axis, thereby simulating the visual system’s recovery of 3-D structures. We conducted experiments that used Lissajous figures under different conditions and asked participants to select the perceived rotational axis. The results revealed a strong association between motion speed and the perceived rotational axis, and the tilt angle of the figure exhibited a similar effect. However, in addition to these two factors, the intersections within the figure also appeared to influence axis perception. Particularly, the intersections passing through the fixation point tended to guide the overall motion direction of the Lissajous figures.