Motion prediction as a function of target speed and duration of presentation

Abstract

This study investigated the ability of Ss to predict the future position of a moving target after the target disappeared. Target speed, duration of target exposure, and S's mode of responding to the visible target were varied. The performance measure was the absolute deviation from the correct target position at the end of 9 sec., converted to error relative to target speed. Results show: (a) no significant differences resulting from mode of response (tracking vs. monitoring), order of presentation, duration of presentation, or speed-duration interaction; (b) significant learning effect from session to session (p<.01); and (c) an increase in relative error, in an inverse relation to target speed (p<.01). It is concluded that a human operator may be able to make motion predictions equally as well with minimal as with maximal exposure to target input; only target speed exerts an influence on prediction accuracy. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)