Nonmonotone backward masking functions and brightness reversals

Increasing the target-field luminance aids detection for a simultaneously presented black target disc and a black masking annulus. At an intermediate interval separating the onset of the target from the mask, increasing the target-field luminance reduces target detection. This decrease in performanc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Attention, perception & psychophysics perception & psychophysics, 2011-10, Vol.73 (7), p.2180-2196
Main Authors: Stewart, Alan L., Purcell, Dean G., Pinkham, Roger S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attention
Behavioral Science and Psychology
Biological and medical sciences
Choice Behavior
Cognitive Psychology
Contrast Sensitivity
Data collection
Experiments
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Integral equations
Male
Pattern Recognition, Visual
Perception
Perceptual Masking
Predictor Variables
Projection Equipment
Psychology
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Reversal Learning
Signal Detection, Psychological
Statistical Analysis
Stimuli
Vision
Visual Fields
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Summary:Increasing the target-field luminance aids detection for a simultaneously presented black target disc and a black masking annulus. At an intermediate interval separating the onset of the target from the mask, increasing the target-field luminance reduces target detection. This decrease in performance occurs with both temporal and spatial forced choice tasks. With a spatial forced choice, an observer’s performance can fall below chance. We associate below-chance performance with a brightness reversal of the black target disc, such that the target disc appears brighter than its surround. The occurrence of brightness reversals follows from our model of the Broca–Sulzer effect, and nonmonotone masking functions result from a generalization of luminance summation.
ISSN:1943-3921
1943-393X
DOI:10.3758/s13414-011-0166-y