Meaning of fixation

Fixation refers to a strong attachment or preoccupation with a particular person, object, or idea. It can also refer to the act of becoming stuck or immobilized in a certain position or state. In psychology, fixation can also refer to a persistent focus on a particular stage of development, hindering progress to the next stage.

Fixation is the process by which an eye maintains a steady gaze at a particular point in space. It involves a sequence of tiny, involuntary movements known as saccades.

Types of Fixation:

- Central Fixation: When the eye is focused directly on the object of interest.
- Peripheral Fixation: When the eye is focused on an object that is not directly in front of it.
- Ocular Fixation: When the eye is fixed on an external object.
- Visual Fixation: When the eye is fixed on a mental image or representation.

Importance of Fixation:

- Visual Acuity: Fixation is essential for clear and detailed vision.
- Depth Perception: It helps us perceive distance and the three-dimensional world.
- Saccades: Fixation allows for rapid and accurate eye movements known as saccades, which are necessary for scanning the environment and performing tasks such as reading.
- Vestibular Ocular Reflex: Fixation stabilizes the image on the retina during head movements.

Factors Affecting Fixation:

- Attention: Voluntary control over where the eye fixates.
- Stimulus Size and Contrast: Larger and more contrasting objects tend to attract fixation.
- Motion: Objects in motion can shift the point of fixation.
- Ocular Dominance: One eye is usually dominant and controls fixation more frequently.

Related Terms:

- Saccades: Rapid eye movements between fixation points.
- Accommodation: The ability of the lens to change shape to focus on objects at different distances.
- Convergence: The inward turning of the eyes to focus on near objects.