Serial dependence is related to the task and not the stimulus

There is a hot debate about the nature of serial dependence (SD), tendency to judge stimulus features in given trial as similar previous trial. It often argued that SD reflects mechanism stabilize perception, combining stimuli over time. Here, we demonstrate does not combine at all, but only task-related information. We presented random-dot kinematogram (RDK, 1000 ms, 90% coherence, radius 1.25°) superimposed on noisy Gabor patch (50% contrast, spatial frequency 0.33 cpd, noise ratio 40%) leading fused stimulus. In each trial, tilt and motion were chosen independently. pre-cued human participants report either one these features. Experiment 1, pre-cue indicated whether or orientation should be adjusted with mouse. 2, also varied RDK speed, which task perform (adjustment binary speed discrimination RDK). First, effects identical, independent target feature was same before (e.g., RDK) different Gabor). Second, there no for non-target Third, occurred when speed. These results suggest tied ‘orientation’ independently other elementary features). Our do support notion linked stabilizing perception.