Comparing sensitivity across different processing measures under metacontrast masking conditions.
In the so-called metacontrast dissociation, masked primes with a target-congruent shape facilitate responses to visible targets, whereas masked shape-incongruent primes interfere with them, even if participants cannot successfully discriminate between masked imperative primes (comprising congruent and incongruent shape primes) and non-imperative primes (with a shape different from that of all targets). Previous research suggests that visual motion perception can be spared from metacontrast masking [Kolers, P. (1963). Vision Research, 3, 191-206]. Here, we confirmed that detection of visual rotation is spared to a larger degree than detection of visual shape (Experiment 1) and that even shapes of masked stimuli can be detected if the shape-detection task is easier (Experiment 2). Implications of our findings for the conclusion that performance in masked priming studies depends on processing of non-conscious inputs are discussed.
Ansorge
Ulrich
U
Institute of Cognitive Science, Department of Psychology, Universitaet Osnabrueck, Albrechtstrasse 28, D-49076 Osnabrueck, Germany. ulrich.ansorge@uni-osnabrueck.de
Breitmeyer
Bruno G
BG
Becker
Stefanie I
SI
D000328:Adult; D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D005556:Form Perception / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009039:Motion Perception / Q000502:physiology; D010470:Perceptual Masking; D011601:Psychophysics; D011930:Reaction Time; D012399:Rotation; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*