Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Visualizing Visual Adaptation
Published on: April 24, 2017
Orthogonal adaptation improves orientation discrimination
C W Clifford1, A M Wyatt, D H Arnold
1Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia. colinc@vision.psy.mq.edu.au
Abstract:
We investigated the effect of adaptation on orientation discrimination using two experienced observers, then replicated the main effects using a total of 50 naïve subjects. Orientation discrimination around vertical improved after adaptation to either horizontal or vertical gratings, but was impaired by adaptation at 7.5 or 15 degrees from vertical. Improvement was greatest when adapter and test were orthogonal. We show that the results can be understood in terms of a functional model of adaptation in cortical vision.

