On the relationship between afterimages and a simple sensorimotor reaction

Abstract

Afterimage phenomena (afterimages) are currently widely used in a number of human activities. In this paper, the dynamic properties of afterimages are used and the comparison and relationship with the reaction to light stimulation is investigated. . It is found that the attenuation constant of afterimages and the decay constant of the variable part of the latent time of a simple sensorimotor reaction are in direct linear dependence. In addition, variable light stimulation, which contributes to the rapid attenuation of the afterimage, also accelerates the decline of the variable part of the latent time of a simple sensorimotor reaction, while the constant part increases. Based on these data, we conclude that these two phenomena, the afterimage and a simple sensorimotor reaction are interrelated in the functioning of the reflex chain of excitation transmission from sensors to the motor cortex.