Modification of perceived relative intensities of acid tastes by ambient illumination changes

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Abstract
The measurement of intersensory facilitation, arising when ambient light modifies the subjective estimation of gustatory intensity differences, was attempted. Artificial light at two intensities and citric acid at concentrations of ·00115, ·00100 and ·00085 gm/ml in tap water were used with 24 Ss, mean age 20·9 years. Mean relative intensity ratings fitted a linear trace decay model almost exactly, leaving a very small superimposed intersensory effect. Examination of significant heteroscedasity (p<.00001) in results related to changes in illumination showed large intersubject differences; some Ss showed consistent facilitation and others a consistent opposite effect with increased illumination. The intersensory effect is probably multiplicative on perceived intensities, and not consistent with a simple absolute threshold shift effect.

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