THE PERCEPTION OF RHYTHMICALLY REPEATED LINEAR MOTION IN THE HORIZONTAL PLANE
E G Walsh · British Journal of Psychology · 1962
Normal subjects were subjected to linear motion rhythmically repeated at rates in the range 1 to 1/9 cyc./sec. With horizontal oscillations of 1/3 cyc./sec. the sensations of moving came at the turning‐points of the swing. The person felt he was moving most rapidly when he was momentarily stationary. The C.N.S. interprets acceleration as velocity under these circumstances. At times the first sensation of moving in one direction came whilst the person was travelling rapidly in the opposite way. At 1 cyc./sec. the sensations were in time with the movements as they occurred. Threshold data indicate that the peak acceleration adequately describes the stimulus at 1/3 and 1/9 cyc./sec. The findings are discussed in relation to the behaviour of the otolith organs and may have a bearing on possible explanations of motion sickness.