The effect of search time on perception.

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Abstract
A group of 100 carefully selected chest radiographs was read by 10 observers, 5 experienced and 5 inexperienced. The radiographs were chosen to present the readers with a disproportionately large number of subtle abnormalities and nonpulmonary lesions. Each reader was allowed to search the radiographs for as long as appropriate, up to a maximum of 4 min. The length of time taken for each observation was recorded to the neasrest second. The time-perception data were plotted on linear and semilogarithmic graphs. Experienced readers concluded their visual search while they were still making a significant number of true-positive observations and the true-positive detection rate was higher than the rate for false-positives. For lesions in the central portions of the radiograph (heart, lungs and pleura), the time-perception curves were biphasic, with a rapid and a slow component of perception. If these data are plotted on a semilogarithmic scale, each of the 2 components plots as a straight line. For lesions in the periphery of the radiograph (chest wall and upper abdomen), the time-perception curve is monophasic, showing only a slow component.

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