Influence of vertical and vertical-horizontal background patterns on perception of visual direction of a moving object.

30 boys and 30 girls, 6 yr. old, participated in a study assessing the influence of vertical and vertical-horizontal background patterns on the prediction of an object's directionality. An experimental apparatus was designed to permit modified spherical objects with interchangeable covers and backgrounds to move in three-dimensional space in three directions at selected speeds. The subject's task was to predict one of three possible directions of the object: the object moved toward the subject's midline or toward a point 18 in. to the left or right of the midline. The movement of all objects started at the same place which was 19.5 ft. in front of the subject. Prediction time was recorded for each of 10 trials. Analysis of variance indicated that vertical and vertical-horizontal patterns of the background behind the moving object did influence the prediction of an object's directionality by the girls.