A TECHNIQUE FOR COMPARING HUMAN VISUAL RESPONSES WITH A MATHEMATICAL MODEL FOR LIGHTNESS*

ABSTRACT This paper reports a technique for comparing the human visual responses with lightness predictions made by a mathematical model. The human visual responses are determined by having a number of observers compare the lightnesses in a Test Display with those in a Standard Display. The mathematical model's predictions are made by processing numbers that are identical to the luminances in the Test Display. These predictions are then scaled relative to the same Standard Lightness Display used by human observers. Methods of analyzing the results are discussed, as well as a variety of situations that can be used to establish whether a particular model can be considered a general model for lightness.