A correlational model applied to metacontrast: Reply to Weisstein, Ozog, and Szoc

A model based on Hartline-Ratliff lateral inhibition (LI) with a time delay shows that LI distributes information across a parallel network, makes output noise lower than input noise, and can simulate psychophysical results in several variations of the metacontrast-masking paradigm. This model answers many of the Weisstein, Ozog, and Szoc (1975) criticisms of a previous version of the Bridgeman lateral inhibitory model: Temporal oscillations in the masking function are eliminated, and differentiation of homophotic from metaphotic activity by the modeled system is shown to be unnecessary. Experimental results consistent with the LI theory but inconsistent with two-channel theories are discussed.

[1]  D. Jameson,et al.  Mach bands : quantitative studies on neural networks in the retina , 1966 .

[2]  E. Roy John,et al.  Mechanisms of memory , 1967 .

[3]  N Weisstein,et al.  A Rashevsky-Landahl neural net: simulation of metacontrast. , 1968, Psychological review.

[4]  Peter H. Schiller,et al.  Monoptic and dichoptic metacontrasf , 1968 .

[5]  D. N. Spinelli,et al.  Visual receptive field organization of single units in the cat's visual cortex. , 1969, Experimental neurology.

[6]  B. Bridgeman.  Metacontrast and lateral inhibition. , 1971, Psychological review.

[7]  Karl H. Pribram,et al.  The Languages of the Brain , 2002 .

[8]  O. Creutzfeldt,et al.  Significance of intracortical inhibition in the visual cortex. , 1972, Nature: New biology.

[9]  E R John,et al.  Switchboard versus statistical theories of learning and memory. , 1972, Science.

[10]  H Spekreijse,et al.  Contrast evoked responses in man. , 1973, Vision research.

[11]  Lester A. Lefton,et al.  Metacontrast: A review. , 1973 .

[12]  Robert Sekuler,et al.  Handbook of Sensory Physiology, Vol. 7/4, Visual Psychophysics , 1973 .

[13]  W. Uttal.  The Psychobiology of Sensory Coding , 2014 .

[14]  B. Amblard,et al.  Backward and forward masking in the perception of cutaneous stimuli , 1973 .

[15]  Bruce Bridgeman,et al.  Correlates of metacontrast in single cells of the cat visual system , 1975, Vision Research.

[16]  N. Weisstein,et al.  A comparison and elaboration of two models of metacontrast. , 1975, Psychological review.

[17]  M. Sanders.  Handbook of Sensory Physiology , 1975 .

[18]  R. Growney,et al.  The function of contour in metacontrast , 1976, Vision Research.

[19]  B G Breitmeyer,et al.  Implications of sustained and transient channels for theories of visual pattern masking, saccadic suppression, and information processing. , 1976, Psychological review.

[20]  C. W. White,et al.  Spatial-frequency specificity in visual masking , 1976 .