VISUAL-AROUSAL INTERACTION AND SPECIFICITY OF NYSTAGMIC HABITUATION,

Abstract : Forty male Ss with no previous exposure to precise constant angular acceleration received 13 positive accelerations of 24 degrees/sq. sec. Vision was permitted for all Ss on pre- and post-test criterion trials. Twenty Ss received concomitant visual stimulation with an illuminated visual field during 10 habituating trials. The remainder were habituated in complete darkness. Habituation acquired in darkness did not transfer to criterion trials with vision. Darkness habituated Ss showed a significant slow-phase increment when tested with vision following task-controlled arousal level increase. Ss habituated with vision showed a continued output decline when tested under similar conditions. (Author)