Evaluating spatiotemporal interactions between shapes

J Vis. 2019 Apr 1;19(4):30. doi: 10.1167/19.4.30.

Abstract

Spatiotemporal interactions between stimuli can alter the perceived curvature along the outline of a shape (Habak, Wilkinson, Zakher, & Wilson, 2004; Habak, Wilkinson, & Wilson, 2006). To better understand these interactions, we used a forward and backward masking paradigm with radial frequency (RF) contours while measuring RF detection thresholds. In Experiment 1, we presented a mask alongside a target contour and altered the stimulus onset asynchrony between this target-mask pair and a temporal mask. We found that a temporal mask increased thresholds when it preceded the target-mask stimulus by 130-180 ms but decreased thresholds when it followed the target-stimulus mask by 180 ms. Furthermore, Experiment 2 demonstrated that the effects of temporal and spatial masks are approximately additive. We discuss these findings in relation to theories of transient and sustained channels in vision.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Form Perception / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Perceptual Masking / physiology*
  • Spatio-Temporal Analysis*
  • Young Adult