Effects of Contrast on Perceived Size of Visual Patterns: Theory, Data, and Implications

Abstract

The perceived spatial frequency of a visual pattern can vary with changes in contrast. Because size is inversely related to spatial frequency and because perceived size is an important distance cue, this has implications for task performance in a variable contrast environment. These environments are common in everyday situations, such as driving in the fog, and in the use of night vision devices. Understanding the underlying visual mechanisms of this effect would help us design systems that compensate for the effect. This understanding also could further develop models of the human low-level visual processes. However, most testing of perceived size and contrast has been done at relatively high contrast levels. This research is conducted at contrast levels near detection threshold. This range allows a more thorough testing of different models of contrast detection. We tested two versions of a multiple spatial-frequency channels model of contrast perception. One model assumes a single set of channels functioning throughout the dynamic range of contrasts used here, the other assumes two sets of channels based on the parvo and magnocellular systems. Our results support the hypothesis that there is a single set of channels at work in the contrast range tested.