Seeing Biological Motion - Is There A Role For Cognitive Strategies?

The aim of the paper is to suggest components of a model for the processing of human movement information introducing the concept of 'motion integrators'. Two approaches to the perception of biological motion are contrasted: the low-level and the high-level processing approach. Ii is suggested that conceptually-driven processes play a prominent role in motion recognition. Examples from experimental psychology and neurobiology are discussed. Our quasi-automatic perception of biological motion seems to involve resource-dependent cognitive processes and an 'interactive-encoding' hypothesis is elaborated further. In particular, the role of attentional mechanisms and the influence of concept use are highlighted. Finally, recent findings are interpreted in connection to specific encoding strategies.