Young and Older Observers Show Similar Perceived Contrast Functions for Isoluminat Stimuli

Abstract

Previous research from our laboratory has demonstrated an age-related difference in the perceived brightness of brief, low intensity flashes of light. The purpose of this experiment was to determine if the age-related brightness differences would generalize to isoluminant conditions. Thus, the effect of age on visual system contrast gain was examined by use of sinusoidal grating stimuli with the method of contrast estimation. Ten young and 10 older males (mean ages 20 and 64.5 yrs) viewed counterphase flickered gratings of 0.6 and 6.0 c/deg ranging in contrast from 1 to 50 percent. The resulting linear functions of log perceived contrast as a function of log stimulus contrast showed no age-related differences and suggest equivalent contrast gain with age. These results, placed within the context of previous research, suggest that the largest age-related differences in visual performance are found when subjects must perform a detection/recognition task that is embedded in a flashing background.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1991
Accession Number
ADA233766

Entities

People

  • Joseph F. Sturr
  • Karl F. Van Orden

Organizations

  • Naval Medical Research Center

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Age Groups
  • Analysis Of Variance
  • Biomedical Research
  • Brightness
  • Contrast
  • Electrophysiological Phenomena
  • Frequency
  • Frequency Domain
  • Gain
  • Government Procurement
  • Governments
  • Laboratory Animals
  • Navy
  • Perception
  • Standards
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Technical Information Centers

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Vision Science/Vision Psychology/Cognitive Neuroscience.
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