Sound can enhance the suppression of visual target detection in apparent motion trajectory

Detection performance is impaired for a visual target presented in an apparent motion (AM) trajectory, and this AM interference weakens when orientation information is inconsistent between the target and AM stimuli. These indicate that the target is perceptually suppressed by internal object representations of AM stimuli established along the AM trajectory. Here, we showed that transient sounds presented together with AM stimuli could enhance the magnitude of AM interference. Furthermore, this auditory effect attenuated when frequencies of the sounds were inconsistent during AM. We also confirmed that the sounds wholly elevated the magnitude of AM interference irrespective of the inconsistency in orientation information between the target and AM stimuli when the saliency of the sounds was maintained. These results suggest that sounds can contribute to the robust establishment and spatiotemporal maintenance of the internal object representation of an AM stimulus.

► Visual target detection performance is impaired in an apparent motion (AM) trajectory. ► Transient sounds presented with AM stimuli strengthened this AM interference. ► Auditory effect attenuated when sound frequencies were inconsistent during AM. ► The effect occurred even for targets with orientation different from AM stimuli. ► Sounds contribute to establishing and maintaining internal object representation.