Smooth Pursuit Task [34551]

This article applies to:

 E-Prime 3.0

Detail

Experiment Author: Psychology Software Tools, Inc.

SmoothPursuit tests a participant's ability to closely follow a moving object with their eyes.

Abstract

SmoothPursuit displays a ball on the screen using a SlideButton. Script based Task Events are used to manipulate the SlideButton. The sub-routine AnimateCircle animates the SlideButton clockwise and then counterclockwise on circular trials. The sub-routine AnimateLine animates the SlideButton horizontally and vertically.

Participants are instructed to follow the ball closely with their mouse. The ball travels horizontally, vertically, and in circles (both clockwise and counterclockwise).

NOTE: Because this task measures mouse movements, it can be modified to use one of E-Prime's eye tracking extensions (i.e., Tobii Pro, SMI, and SmartEye). Please refer to the specific documentation on those Extensions in order to enable eye tracking. E-Prime Extensions for EyeLink 3.0 has an experiment already modified on our Support site (EEE: ELSmoothPursuit (with videos and SlideButtons) [34432]).

NOTE: If wanted, Researchers can use this task as a Pursuit Rotor Task (see Pursuit Rotor Task [30109]). For added convenience, the distance from the mouse to the SlideButton is calculated during the trials (i.e., c.SetAttrib "Distance" & nCounter, Distance).