Intensity and contour effects in visual masking

Kolers, Paul Α.

doi:10.1016/0042-6989(62)90037-8

Cited by 161 publications

(157 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…The present findings, showing decreased masking effects with increasing size of mask are in agreement with the data of Battersby & Wagman (1962) and Kolers (1962), extending their results to different retinal positions. In general, the results favor an interpretation based upon competing contours.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

“…To date, however, only a few investigators (Battersby & Wagman, 1962;Kolers, 1962) have been concerned with spatial factors, and none to our knowledge have systematically investigated the effects of retinal position. The importance of these latter parameters cannot be overemphasized, since contour effects have been shown to be significant in visual masking (Werner, 1935).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Spatial determinants of visual masking: Effects of mask size and retinal position

1965

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Visual masking was studied in three observers by measuring the threshold for detection of a small black disc (test target) with and without prior exposure to a concentric larger black disc (masking target). Independent variables were size of mask and retinal position. Results showed that: (1) for all retinal positions, decreasing the size of the masking target produced a greater masking effect; (2) for each size of mask, there was a greater masking effect in the periphery than in the fovea; (3) in the fovea, the largest mask produced a lowered threshold for test target detection, suggesting summation or facilitation. These results were discussed in terms of contour interaction and signal-to-noise ratio.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial determinants of visual masking: Effects of mask size and retinal position

1965

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“…All three curves, smoothed to give the best fit for the data points (Lewis, 1960), describe monotonic, negatively-accelerated functions (Kolers, 1962).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Visual backward masking in retardates and normals

Spitz¹,

Thor²

1968

Perception & Psychophysics

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DOWhen the onset of a visual stimulus (S, ) follows immediately or shortly after the offset of another visual stimulus (SI ) at the same point in space, and when S, (the masking stimulus) has appropriate contours, duration, and illumination relative to SI, then SI will be inhibited. The blanking of SI by S, is one instance of a phenomenon labelled "backward masking" (see Raab, 1963, for a review). That perception of SI can be voided by an ensuing stimulus indicates that SI requires a period of time after offset for visual processing. As the interstimulus interval (lSI) between SI and S, lengthens, the masking effect of S, weakens. At some point S, no longer interferes with the perception of S\ .Backward masking allows for a comparative test of the speed of visual processing by retardates and normals. If retardates take a longer period of time to process a visual stimulus than do normals of equal chronological age (Spitz, 1963), the presentation of S, to retardates must be delayed for a longer interval to prevent its interference with the visual processing of S\. The present experiment tests this hypothesis. Of additional interest is the relationship of backward masking to chronological age in normal Ss (Pollack, 1965). SubjectsThe Ss, all males, were 20 retardates (R) (mean CA = 15.78, SD =.73; mean IQ =63.85, SD =6.60), residents of a state training school for educable retardates; 20 equal-MA normals (MA) (mean CA = 9.92, SD = .66); and 20 equal-Ca normals (CA) (mean CA =15.18, SD =.84). The normals were volunteers from a local military institute and from local cub scout packs. No IQs were available for the normals, who were assumed to have approximately average or slightly above average intelligence. Apparatus and StimuliStimuli were presented in a three-channel Scientific Prototype Model GB tachistoscope allowing three consecutive presentation times with accuracy of better than ±2%. The test figures (SI) were the letter D or the letter O. Black Deca-Dry transfer letters were used (Venus Medium style typeface of 60-pt size), and each letter was placed on its own white card. The D was 15 mm high and 12 mm wide, the 0 was 15.5 mm high and 13 mm wide. When placed in one channel of the tachistoscope a letter was approximately 121.92 em from S's eyes and subtended a visual angle of approximately 43 min in height and 35 min in width. The dimensions varied slightly, depending on the letter (Fig. I).The masking figure (S,), placed in the second channel of the tachistoscope, was a copy of the pattern that Schiller and Wiener (1963, Fig. 2, Pattern 3) found to be efficient in masking letters. It consisted of a 21 mm outline square enclosing four parallel diagonal lines that cross-hatched the area enclosed by the square (see Fig. I). All lines were made by applying matte black 1/32 in. pressure sensitive tape (Chart-Pak) on a white card. The visual angle of the masking pattern was approximately 59 min. The cards were so placed that when the slide holders were seated in the tachistoscope the letter was approximately cen...

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“…With some basic improvements in the design, they found better identification of the stimuli with increases in the delay of the ring. In an altempt to replieate a study by Kolers (1962) where U·shaped funetions were found. Eriksen & Marsha11 (1969) Stewart & PureeIl (1970) have eritieized Weisstein & Haber (1965) on methodological grounds.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Metacontrast: Further evidence for monotonic functions

Lefton

1970

Psychon Sci

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In three separate experiments three variables were examined whieh could be responsible for nonmonotonic metaeontrast funetions. Using letters as stimuli, monotonie functions were obtained for a11 three. Whatever the variables are, spatial uneertainty, retinal loeation, or spatial cueing do not seem to be involved in produeing nonmonotonic functions.Metaeontrast studies have shown two types of results: funetions that have been monotonie and those that have been nonmonotonic or U·shaped. Because of the important theoretieal implications of the shape of the metacontrast function, much attention has been devoted 10 lhe study of metaeontrast.A U·shaped function is one in which the maximum disruption oecurs at a time greater than t = 0, where t = 0 is the offset of the stimulus.

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Intensity and contour effects in visual masking

Cited by 161 publications

References 16 publications

Spatial determinants of visual masking: Effects of mask size and retinal position

Spatial determinants of visual masking: Effects of mask size and retinal position

Visual backward masking in retardates and normals

Metacontrast: Further evidence for monotonic functions

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