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Critical-Flicker-Fusion Thresholds as a Function of Very Small Pulse-to-Cycle Fractions

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Abstract

As a follow-up to an earlier study, critical-flicker-fusion thresholds were determined as a function of two additional pulse-to-cycle fractious (.025,.05). The Ss were the same four white Carneaux pigeons used in the earlier study. The Estes-Skinner conditioned-suppression paradigm was used to assess the thresholds. Threshold determinations were made at three levels of illumination (30,300, 30.30 and .0303 miliamberts). All Ss showed a uniform and approximately linear drop in thresholds from the peak that had been achieved with a pulse-to-cycle fraction of .10. While the break was most pronounced at the high and medium level of illumination, some drop-off also occurred at the low stimulus intensity. The relationship of these findings to Bartley’s model is discussed.

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This work was supported by Contracts AT-(40-1)-2903 and AT-(40-1)-2690 of the Division of Biology and Medicine, U.S. Atomic Energy Commission with the Department of Psychology, the Institute of Molecular Biophysics and the Florida State Unniversity

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Powell, R.W., Smith, J.C. Critical-Flicker-Fusion Thresholds as a Function of Very Small Pulse-to-Cycle Fractions. Psychol Rec 18, 35–40 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03393738

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