Masking, crowding, and grouping: Connecting low and mid-level vision.

ABSTRACT: An important task for vision science is to build a unitary framework of low- and mid-level vision. As a step on this way, our study examined differences and commonalities between masking, crowding and grouping-three processes that occur through spatial interactions between neighbouring elements. We measured contrast thresholds as functions of inter-element spacing and eccentricity for Gabor detection, discrimination and contour integration, using a common stimulus grid consisting of nine Gabor elements. From these thresholds, we derived a) the baseline contrast necessary to perform each task and b) the spatial extent over which task performance was stable. This spatial window can be taken as an indicator of field size, where elements that fall within a putative field are readily combined.

SUBMITTER: Reuther J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8842520 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature