Visual masking of targets displayed against two- and three-dimensional backgrounds.
Detection thresholds for targets displayed against two- and three-dimensional backgrounds were measured under backward masking and non-masking conditions. The results indicate that planar ring targets displayed against a two-dimensional ground are easier to mask than identical targets portrayed against a three-dimensional background. Also, the detectability of a planar ring target is enhanced when it is included within a three-dimensional rather than an identical but two-dimensional visual display. These results confirm and extend previous findings and suggest a processing asymmetry biased toward three-dimensional visual displays.
D000328:Adult; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological; D005260:Female; D005556:Form Perception; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual; D010470:Perceptual Masking; D011930:Reaction Time; D013028:Space Perception