Binocular Vision

To study how the brain utilizes information from the two eyes, we use stereoscopes and active stereogoggles to study how the brain processes both simple 3-D stimuli and 3-D natural images.

Computer graphics

To find the facial cues conveying information, we analyze the relationships between image parameters (face shape, colour and texture) and objective criteria (e.g. hormone level), behaviour (e.g. cooperation) or attributions (e.g. apparent health). To confirm the importance of any visual cue we impose the cue on new face images and then test for changes in people's perception.

Eye movement recording

using binocular infra-red video eye tracker systems allows us to monitor where both eyes are pointing when viewing real scenes, computer screen or 3-D anaglyph displays. Being able to measure where a person looks when performing a perceptual or attentional task allows us to identify what visual information is used for that task, as well as understanding how the brain takes account of eye movements and links them to what is perceived

Face perception

Faces convey subtle information about their owners. Personality, health, age, emotion, immune function, hormone levels, reproductive strategy, family background, and developmental profile all have correlates in the face; moreover most observers recognize the associations. We study the basis of face perception using both subjective attributions and objective image analysis. We consider evolutionary adaptation, family and cultural experience, and strategic choice in explaining perceptions.

Multi-modal perception

We examine the extent to which facial cues relate to characteristics of the voice, odour and shape of the body. Characteristics in each domain are changed to determine how they impact on person perception.

Neural network Modelling

We study biological mechanisms and neural network models of sensory information processing with special interest in vision and pattern recognition..

Psychophysics

is a classical technique for measuring simple sensory behaviour by asking participants to make simple responses (verbal or button press) to tightly constrained visual stimuli. It allows inferences to be made about the visual information used by the brain and understanding of the perceptual mechanisms used to process that information.

Visual neurophysiology

measures the responses of brain areas and/or individual neurons to determine what brain functions underly perceptual processes.