Incongruent active head rotations increase visual motion detection thresholds

Attributing a visual motion signal to its correct source– be that external object motion, self-motion, or some combination of both– seems effortless, and yet often involves detangling a complex web of motion signals. Existing literature focuses on either translational motion (heading) or eye movements, leaving much to be learnt about the influence of a wider range of self-motions, such as active head rotations, on visual motion perception. The current study investigated how active head rotations affect visual motion detection thresholds, comparing conditions where visual motion and head-turn direction were either congruent or incongruent. Participants judged the direction of a visual motion stimulus while rotating their head or remaining stationary, using a fixation-locked Virtual Reality display with integrated head-movement recordings. Thresholds to perceive visual motion were higher in both active-head rotation conditions compared to stationary, though no differences were found between congruent or incongruent conditions. Participants also showed a significant bias to report seeing visual motion travelling in the same direction as the head rotation. Together these results demonstrate active head rotations increase visual motion perceptual thresholds, particularly in cases of incongruent visual and active vestibular stimulation.