Barrier effects in non-retinotopic feature attribution

When objects move in the environment, their retinal images can undergo drastic changes and features of different objects can be inter-mixed in the retinal image. Notwithstanding these changes and ambiguities, the visual system is capable of establishing correctly feature–object relationships as well as maintaining individual identities of objects through space and time. Recently, by using a Ternus–Pikler display, we have shown that perceived motion correspondences serve as the medium for non-retinotopic attribution of features to objects. The purpose of the work reported in this manuscript was to assess whether perceived motion correspondences provide a sufficient condition for feature attribution. Our results show that the introduction of a static “barrier” stimulus can interfere with the feature attribution process. Our results also indicate that the barrier stops feature attribution based on interferences related to the feature attribution process itself rather than on mechanisms related to perceived motion.

► Motion correspondences serve as the medium for non-retinotopic feature attribution. ► Motion correspondences are not sufficient for non-retinotopic feature attribution. ► Barriers can stop feature attribution without affecting motion correspondences. ► A dual perceptual organization process is proposed to explain barrier effects.