Abstract
Using an adjustment procedure, human observers matched the apparent spatial frequencies of sinusoidal gratings presented in different orientations (0, 45, 90, and 135 deg). Matches were made between all possible pairwise orientation combinations. Significant match deviations indicated that the apparent frequency of a grating depends on its orientation. The most consistent deviations were found between horizontal and vertical gratings, with horizontal gratings appearing to be of a lower spatial frequency than vertical gratings. These effects were relatively independent of stimulus contrast and persisted when the optics of the eye were bypassed with laser interferometry. A neurophysiological explanation of these effects is proposed.
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This research was funded in part by National Eye Institute Grants EY-01319 (awarded to the Center for Visual Science) and EY-01875 (awarded to T. Pasternak).
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Bowker, D.O. Variations in apparent spatial frequency with stimulus orientation: IL Matching data collected under normal and interferometric viewing conditions. Perception & Psychophysics 29, 568–577 (1981). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03207373
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03207373