Scotopic acuity and absolute threshold in brief flashes

Standard tests of acuity involve the resolution of the details of a test object. Pirenne's method (1946), the detection of the presence of a black disk against a briefly illuminated background, invites comparison with the absolute threshold task and a more direct interpretation. The brighter the wide background the smaller the black target that can be resolved, within limits (Hecht, 1928; Shlaer, 1937; Pirenne, 1946, 1961; Mandelbaum & Sloan, 1947; Pirenne & Denton, 1952; Le Grand, 1956; Pirenne, Marriott & O'Doherty, 1957). Also at the absolute threshold the brighter the flash the smaller is the detectable luminous area (Le Grand, 1956; Pirenne & Marriott, 1959). What is the relation between luminance and target area for the detection of 'black' and 'white' test objects, all other variables being fixed?

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