Multiple-object tracking studies consistently reveal attentive tracking limits of approximately three to five items. How do factors such as visual grouping and ensemble perception impact these capacity limits? Which heuristics lead to the perception of multiple objects as a group? This work investigates the role of grouping on multiple-object tracking ability, and more specifically, in identifying the heuristics that lead to the formation and perception of ensembles within dynamic contexts. First, we show that group tracking limits are approximately four groups of objects and are independent of the number of items that compose the groups. Further, we show that group tracking performance declines as inter-object spacing increases. We also demonstrate the role of group rigidity in tracking performance in that disruptions to common fate negatively impact ensemble tracking ability. The findings from this work contribute to our overall understanding of the perception of dynamic groups of objects. They characterize the properties that determine the formation and perception of dynamic object ensembles. In addition, they inform development and design decisions considering cognitive limitations involving tracking groups of objects.

多目标跟踪研究始终显示大约三到五个项目的细心跟踪限制。视觉分组和整体感知等因素如何影响这些容量限制？哪些启发式方法导致将多个对象视为一个组？这项工作研究了分组对多目标跟踪能力的作用，更具体地说，在确定导致动态环境中集合的形成和感知的启发式方法中的作用。首先，我们表明组跟踪限制大约是四组对象，并且与组成组的项目数量无关。此外，我们表明，随着对象间间距的增加，组跟踪性能下降。我们还证明了群体刚性在跟踪性能中的作用，因为对共同命运的破坏会对整体跟踪能力产生负面影响。这项工作的发现有助于我们全面了解动态对象组的感知。它们描述了决定动态对象集合的形成和感知的特性。此外，考虑到涉及跟踪对象组的认知限制，它们为开发和设计决策提供信息。