A new method of measuring simultaneous contrast, or chromatic induction, is introduced and used to test the hypotheses that induction results from either multiplicative or subtractive interaction of either like receptors or like second-stage, opponent mechanisms. Predictions derived from these hypotheses do not predict the outcome of the experiments as well as the traditional notion that induced colors are in the direction complementary to the inducing color with respect to the test color. We conclude that simultaneous contrast is a consequence of interaction within higher-level chromatic mechanisms.
Human contrast sensitivity is known to vary with both stimulus spatial frequency and orientation. Previous research has indicated, however, that the apparent contrast of a sinusoidal grating is independent of spatial frequency at suprathreshold levels. We have found that the apparent contrast of suprathreshold gratings is not independent of its orientation. Observers adjusted the apparent contrasts of vertical and oblique gratings to match a 40% standard. Contrast match deviations were found at a number of spatial frequencies, indicating a lack of contrast constancy with stimulus orientation. The apparent contrast of gratings in different orientations could not be predicted in any simple fashion from either contrast threshold differences or ratios.
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