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Spatial and temporal chromatic contrast: Effects on chromatic discrimination for stimuli varying in L- and M-cone excitation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 December 2006

ANDREW J. ZELE
Affiliation:
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
VIVIANNE C. SMITH
Affiliation:
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
JOEL POKORNY
Affiliation:
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

Abstract

Discrimination for equiluminant chromatic stimuli that vary in L- and M-cone excitation depends on the chromaticity difference between the test field and the surrounding area. The current study investigated the effect of the proximity in space and time of a surround to the test field on chromatic contrast discrimination. The experimental paradigm isolated spatial, temporal, and spatial-and-temporal chromatic contrast effects on discrimination. Chromatic contrast discrimination thresholds were assessed by a four-alternative spatial forced-choice procedure. Stimuli were either metameric to the equal energy spectrum, or varied in L-cone activation along a line of constant S-cone activation. A model based on primate parvocellular pathway physiology described the data. Spatial and temporal contrast produced equivalent reductions in chromatic discriminability as the chromatic difference between the test and surround increased. For all test chromaticities, discrimination was best in the absence of chromatic contrast. Chromatic contrast discrimination is determined by either the spatial or temporal contrast component of the signal.

Type
TEMPORAL FACTORS
Copyright
© 2006 Cambridge University Press

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