The Fragmentation of Contrast Perception

Abstract

Vision is processed in cortical areas that are highly specialized for a specific visual component. Recent experimentation demonstrates that the spatial framework of visual processing is temporal. This supports the notion that the brain may not combine asynchronous cortical microprocessing into a synchronous visual percept. It may produce an instantaneous conscious percept once processing is rendered complete. This proposes the notion that such a chronoarchitecture produces a synchronous visual world at a postconscious stage. This theory has been disputed due to observations from the flash lag effect. Through psychophysical experimentation, the purpose of this study was to determine any asynchrony in contrast perception. If an asynchrony existed, this would support a chronoarchitectonic theory that a central conscious integrator does not exist. The findings demonstrate asynchrony in contrast perception, generating psychophysical evidence for the Pulfrich effect. This supports the notion that the brain does not bind components preconsciously but only postconsciously, which is a concept that poses significant scientific and philosophical implications about our conscious nature.