Perceptual latency as a function of stimulus onset and offset and retinal location

Abstract

Relative perceptual latency to stimulus onset and to stimulus offset was determined in the fovea and parafovea using the perceived-order method. Offset latency was shorter than onset latency at all luminance levels in the fovea. In the parafovea, however, offset latency was found to be shorter than onset latency only at low test stimulus luminances; offset and onset functions converged at higher luminance levels. Contradictory findings obtained in early phases of the present study and conflicting results existing throughout onset-offset literature are discussed in terms of visual persistence.