Figural Aftereffects: An Explanation in Terms of Multiple Mechanisms in the Human Visual System

摘要

As an alternative to the classical explanation of figural aftereffects (FAE), it was hypothesized that FAE are due to changes in the relative activities of multiple mechanisms tuned to specific features of the stimulus pattern. Changes along the stimulus dimensions of size and orientation were studied. The rationale was that prolonged exposure to an inspection figure (IF) of a particular size or orientation would change the appearance of a test figure (TF) to the extent that these two figures stimulate the same mechanism. Following selective adaption to a particular IF, subjects were required to make size or orientation judgements with the size or orientation of the IF serving as the anchor for these judgments. Results indicated that there was a particular range of TF size or orientation over which a given IF would produce perceptual changes. TFs outside this range were not affected. Findings were compared with the classical explanation and the role of multiple mechanisms as a basis of FAE was elaborated. (Author)