Biological motion perception exemplifies the visual system’s capacity to extract information from limited visual input. The majority of research thus far has used human subjects and revealed preferential orientation towards upright light-point-figures compared to inverted ones. However, this pattern of results has not been observed as consistently in animals, especially dogs. Therefore, the aim of the current experiment was to determine what guides dogs’ attention towards upright or inverted human and canine light-point-figures by measuring a combination of behavioural and physiological data. To do this, human and canine light-point-figures in the upright and inverted orientation were projected onto a screen in pairs, for 30 seconds. Results revealed that, overall, dogs (N = 24) directed significantly longer viewing times towards upright canine light-point-figures when presented simultaneously with upright human light-point-figures (P = .032). Eye temperature was also recorded as a physiological measure of arousal before the onset and after the offset of each presentation. The results coincided with behavioural data, revealing that eye temperature was significantly higher after the presentation of an upright human and upright canine light-point-figure, compared to baseline temperature (P = .002). However, eye gaze was clearly influenced by the presentation order of trials because it was also observed that dogs directed significantly more overt attention towards inverted human light-point-figures compared to upright human light-point-figures, but only when presented first and second (P = .049). Eye temperature was also influenced by the presentation order, and consequently it was only significantly higher if upright and inverted human light-point-figures were presented first (P = .012). On the other hand, there was no difference between the distribution of eye gaze or eye temperature on trials in which upright and inverted canine light-point-figures were presented simultaneously (P = .582 & P = .186, respectively). Together, these results confirm that there was a clear relationship between preferential eye gaze orientation and eye temperature. This suggests that dogs’ differential perception of biological motion is linked to the stimulus’ perceived emotional value.

The behavioural and physiological effects of biological motion perception in dogs

Eatherington Carla;Mongillo Paolo;Lõoke Miina;Battaglini Luca;Marinelli Lieta
2018

Abstract

Biological motion perception exemplifies the visual system’s capacity to extract information from limited visual input. The majority of research thus far has used human subjects and revealed preferential orientation towards upright light-point-figures compared to inverted ones. However, this pattern of results has not been observed as consistently in animals, especially dogs. Therefore, the aim of the current experiment was to determine what guides dogs’ attention towards upright or inverted human and canine light-point-figures by measuring a combination of behavioural and physiological data. To do this, human and canine light-point-figures in the upright and inverted orientation were projected onto a screen in pairs, for 30 seconds. Results revealed that, overall, dogs (N = 24) directed significantly longer viewing times towards upright canine light-point-figures when presented simultaneously with upright human light-point-figures (P = .032). Eye temperature was also recorded as a physiological measure of arousal before the onset and after the offset of each presentation. The results coincided with behavioural data, revealing that eye temperature was significantly higher after the presentation of an upright human and upright canine light-point-figure, compared to baseline temperature (P = .002). However, eye gaze was clearly influenced by the presentation order of trials because it was also observed that dogs directed significantly more overt attention towards inverted human light-point-figures compared to upright human light-point-figures, but only when presented first and second (P = .049). Eye temperature was also influenced by the presentation order, and consequently it was only significantly higher if upright and inverted human light-point-figures were presented first (P = .012). On the other hand, there was no difference between the distribution of eye gaze or eye temperature on trials in which upright and inverted canine light-point-figures were presented simultaneously (P = .582 & P = .186, respectively). Together, these results confirm that there was a clear relationship between preferential eye gaze orientation and eye temperature. This suggests that dogs’ differential perception of biological motion is linked to the stimulus’ perceived emotional value.
2018
6th Canine Science Forum – Abstract Book
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11577/3358758
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