Temporal factors influencing the perception of visual flicker.
- 1 January 1953
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Psychological Association (APA) in Journal of Experimental Psychology
- Vol. 46 (3) , 154-161
- https://doi.org/10.1037/h0062884
Abstract
Using a "square" wave generator, an electronic interval timer, and a gas discharge tube, measures of the minimal perceptible flicker (CFF) were taken from two observers. Over-all duration of exposure of the intermittent light was varied from 140 to 1000 msec. for each of 3 relative light phase durations (20, 50, and 80% of the period). For both observers, the plot of CFF vs. exposure time was a rising function of negatively accelerated slope. The magnitude of the slope of these functions varied with the percentage of the period occupied by light. When data were equated for energy content, it was found that the longer the relative dark interval in an inter-mittent light cycle, the greater the ability of an observer to discriminate between successive flashes. These results are compatible with concepts of "excitation" and "recovery" in the visual system, but are equally predictable from either neural or photochemical theory.Keywords
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