May 2008
Volume 8, Issue 6
Free
Vision Sciences Society Annual Meeting Abstract  |   May 2008
Figural grouping affects contextual modulation in low level vision
Author Affiliations
  • Bilge Sayim
    Laboratory of Psychophysics, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland
  • Gerald Westheimer
    Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, USA
  • Michael H. Herzog
    Laboratory of Psychophysics, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland
Journal of Vision May 2008, Vol.8, 436. doi:https://doi.org/10.1167/8.6.436
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      Bilge Sayim, Gerald Westheimer, Michael H. Herzog; Figural grouping affects contextual modulation in low level vision. Journal of Vision 2008;8(6):436. https://doi.org/10.1167/8.6.436.

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      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

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Abstract

Embedding a target within contextual elements can influence performance in visual tasks. For example, when a vernier is flanked by two lines, discrimination performance deteriorates strongly compared to unflanked presentation. This contextual modulation is usually explained by local spatial interactions. In a number of experiments, we have shown that this explanation is inadequate. We propose instead that flanks interfere most strongly with the vernier when they are grouped with the vernier i.e., when they share attributes such as size or color. This interference is lessened when the flanks form their own group and thus allow the vernier target to stand out. Here, we extend these results to flank grouping by geometrical properties. For example, vernier discrimination thresholds are significantly lower when the vernier is flanked by two cuboids compared to being flanked by two lines even though these lines are contained in the cuboids. Our results show that global figural aspects are crucial in contextual modulation and may even point to an anticipatory re-wiring of early visual cortex.

Sayim, B. Westheimer, G. Herzog, M. H. (2008). Figural grouping affects contextual modulation in low level vision [Abstract]. Journal of Vision, 8(6):436, 436a, http://journalofvision.org/8/6/436/, doi:10.1167/8.6.436. [CrossRef]
Footnotes
 This research was supported by the Pro*Doc “Processes of Perception” of the SNF.
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