Contextual factors in the generation of express and regular saccades

Abstract

Experiments using a modified gap paradigm, where regular trials are intermingled with catch trials (trials without saccade target), demonstrate that the relative frequency of express versus regular saccades distinctly depends on catch trial frequency. More specifically, it has been shown that the probability of an express saccade depends stochastically on the type of the preceding trial, that is, on the sequence of stimuli. We discuss whether such contextual effects can be accommodated within the framework of Findlay & Walker's model.