We studied how attention affects contrast detection performance when the target is surrounded by mask elements. In each display quadrant we presented a hexagon of six vertical Gabor patches (the 'surround'). Only one of the hexagons contained a central Gabor patch (the 'target') and the task was to report that quadrant (spatial four-alternative-forced choice). Attention was manipulated by means...

Past demonstrations of sex differences in jealousy have generally employed Buss et al.’s [Psychol. Sci. 3 (1992) 251] forced-choice methodology, a limitation criticized by DeSteno and Salovey [Psychol. Sci. 7 (1996) 367]. The present studies address this criticism by demonstrating the sex difference using both forced-choice and continuous measures of jealousy. In addition, the results distingui...

We compared the mechanisms responsible for orientation discrimination of stimuli defined by luminance and red/green isoluminant contrast. A four-alternative forced-choice (4-AFC) paradigm was used to determine thresholds for discriminating 1 cpd sinewave gratings differing in orientation, contrast, or both. When measuring orientation thresholds as a function of stimulus contrast, we found a dec...

Autonomous contingency management systems, such as a forced landing system which reacts appropriately to an engine failure is important for the safe operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). This paper details a method to ascertain the reachability of any possible emergency landing site for a forced landing in steady uniform wind conditions. With knowledge of the aircraft’s state, such as s...

The perceived orientation of a central test grating is influenced by the orientation structure of the surrounding image. Measurement of this "tilt illusion" traditionally requires subjects to report the orientation of the test relative to a cardinal reference (e.g., clockwise or anticlockwise of vertical). Given that the test is presented within a surround that is itself oriented clockwise or a...

In this paper we investigate the role of contours and junctions in the perception of single-plane achromatic transparency. In order to measure the accuracy with which observers encode transparency, a six-luminance stimulus was employed in which the figural properties could be easily manipulated. Accuracy was measured by requiring subjects to select (either by the method of adjustment or by usin...

Stimuli from different sensory modalities are thought to be processed initially in distinct unisensory brain areas prior to convergence in multisensory areas. However, signals in one modality can influence the processing of signals from other modalities and recent studies suggest this cross-modal influence may occur early on, even in 'unisensory' areas. Some recent psychophysical studies have s...

aim: considering the fundamental role of parents' function and family dynamics including the importance role of family communication pattern on preventing early-onset substance use in children, the present study aimed to determine the correlation between family communication pattern and mothers' preventive behavioral intention regarding preventing early-onset substance use in children...

The plastic flow of a foam results from bubble rearrangements. We study their occurrence in experiments where a foam is forced to flow in 2D: around an obstacle; through a narrow hole; or sheared between rotating disks. We describe their orientation and frequency using a topological matrix defined in the companion paper (F. Graner, B. Dollet, C. Raufaste, and P. Marmottant, this issue, 25 (2008...

In humans, the primary visual cortex (V1) is essential for conscious vision. However, even without V1 and in the absence of awareness, some preserved ability to accurately respond to visual inputs has been demonstrated, a phenomenon referred to as blindsight. We used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to deactivate V1, producing transient blindness for visual targets presented in a foveal,...