The contrast-response of the periphery effect

Vision Res. 1998 Jun;38(13):1983-7. doi: 10.1016/s0042-6989(97)00338-6.

Abstract

This report examines the effect of varying the contrast of a flickering remote surround on thresholds for flicker detection, and color detection in rapidly flickering red and green foveal test targets, presented on a steady white background. Flicker in the surround reduced flicker sensitivity for the foveal test stimuli and yielded a periphery effect (PE), whereas it had no effect on color sensitivity (no PE). The magnitude of the PE increased non-linearly as a function of increasing surround flicker contrast. Much of the increase took place at low contrasts (< 0.20) and half-saturation of the PE occurred at 0.16 and 0.29 contrast for the red and green targets, respectively.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Color Perception / physiology*
  • Contrast Sensitivity / physiology*
  • Flicker Fusion / physiology*
  • Fovea Centralis / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Sensory Thresholds / physiology
  • Time Factors
  • Visual Fields