The Munker–White Effect and Chromatic Induction Share Similar Nonlinear Response Properties

Abstract

The brightness or color appearance of a region may be altered by the presence of a pattern surrounding it in the visual field. The Munker-White effect (grating surround) and brightness or color induction from concentric annuli ('bull's-eye' surround) are two examples. We examined whether these two phenomena share similar properties. In the asymmetric matching experiment, the task of an observer was to adjust the appearance of a matching patch to match the appearance of a test patch embedded in one of the two types (square wave grating or concentric annuli) of inducing surrounds (inducers). The inducer modulated in one of three color directions (isochromatic: +/-(L + M + S) and isoluminance: +/-(L - M) or +/-S). Each inducer type and color direction had two opposing phases and four contrast levels. The results show that the induced appearance shift increases as a power function of the inducer contrast, regardless of the spatial configuration of the inducer. Further analysis showed that a sensitivity modulation model of lateral interaction could explain both induction effects.