Comparison of Changes in Sensitivity and Sensation: Implications for the Response-Intensity Function of the Human Photopic System

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1979

Keywords

intensity of photopic flash stimuli, brightness magnitude estimation & increment thresholds, implications for classical response-intensity functions of photopic system

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

http://doi.org/10.1037/0096-1523.5.3.391

Abstract

Brightness magnitude estimations of foveally presented flashes deviate from a power function. Increment threshold functions for test lights presented upon these same flashes deviate drastically from a constant Weber fraction. These departures from the classic laws of sensation and sensitivity are shown to be in qualitative agreement and to be affected in similar ways by changes in steady adapting fields. Both sets of data can be fit over the lower range of flash intensities by models based on a saturating response function; both sets deviate from these models at high flash intensities in ways consistent with a nonsaturating response function.

Was this content written or created while at USF?

No

Citation / Publisher Attribution

Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, v. 5, issue 3, p. 391-405

Share

COinS