Testing quantitative models of backward masking

• Published in: Psychonomic bulletin & review Vol. 11; no. 1; pp. 104 - 112
• Main Authors: FRANCIS, Gregory, HERZOG, Michael H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Austin, TX Psychonomic Society 01.02.2004; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Computer simulation; Form Perception; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Perception; Perceptual Masking; Psychology; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Vision; Human; Computer simulation; Vision; Perception; Cognition; Masking; Experimental study; Mathematical model; Psychophysics
• ISSN: 1069-9384; 1531-5320
• DOI: 10.3758/BF03206468

We analyzed the relationship between U-shaped and monotonic-shaped masking functions, using both computer simulations of quantitative models and experimental data Our analysis revealed that quantitative models of backward masking predict that U-shaped masking functions should appear for weak masks and monotonic masking functions should appear for strong masks. The models predict, moreover, that for a fixed target and experimental task, as the mask changes it is possible to go from U-shaped to monotonic-shaped masking functions. Significantly, the models predict that at each stimulus onset asynchrony between the target and the mask, the U-shaped function must have weaker masking than the monotonic-shaped function. Contrary to the predictions of the models, we show an experimental situation that generates masking functions that violate this prediction.