EVIDENCE SUPPORTING THE IMPORTANCE OF PERIPHERAL VISUAL INFORMATION FOR THE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF AIMING MOVEMENT

The focus of the present study was on determining whether the high lev el of directional accuracy found in aiming studies in which the subjec ts can see their hand in the visual periphery supports the existence o f a kinetic visual channel or, rather, the advantage of binocular over monocular vision for movement directional control. The limits of this kinetic visual channel were also explored. The results of the Ist exp eriment indicated that seeing one's hand in the visual periphery is su fficient to ensure optimal directional aiming accuracy. Further, no di fferences in aiming accuracy were noted between monocular and binocula r vision. These results supported the existence of a visual kinetic ch annel. In the 2nd experiment, whether this kinetic visual channel woul d operate with movements slower (55 degrees/s) than those usually used in studies that had proved its existence (over 110 degrees/s) was det ermined. The results indicated that this visual kinetic channel was op erative even at relatively slow movement velocities. Central vision of the hand seemed to be used for on-line directional control of relativ ely slow movements.