Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Visual threshold estimation and its relation to the question: Fechner-law or Stevens-power function.

F Thoss

    Acta Neurobiologiae Experimentalis
    |January 1, 1986
    PubMed
    Summary

    Investigating visual system excitation, this study found the Weber-law applies to large visual fields, while smaller fields follow power functions, supporting Stevens

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    The human visual threshold depends on direction and strength of a weak magnetic field.

    Journal of comparative physiology. A, Neuroethology, sensory, neural, and behavioral physiology·2003
    Same author

    The light sensitivity of the human visual system depends on the direction of view.

    Journal of comparative physiology. A, Neuroethology, sensory, neural, and behavioral physiology·2002
    Same author

    The magnetic field sensitivity of the human visual system shows resonance and compass characteristic.

    Journal of comparative physiology. A, Sensory, neural, and behavioral physiology·2001
    Same author

    Periodic inversion of the vertical component of the earth's magnetic field influences fluctuations of visual sensitivity in humans.

    Bioelectromagnetics·1999
    Same author

    Analysis of oscillations of the visual sensitivity.

    Vision research·1998
    Same author

    Influence of an alternating 3 Hz magnetic field with an induction of 0.1 millitesla on chosen parameters of the human occipital EEG.

    Neuroscience letters·1998

    Area of Science:

    • Visual neuroscience
    • Psychophysics
    • Sensory perception

    Background:

    • The relationship between physical stimuli and sensory perception is often described by psychophysical laws.
    • Fechner's law (logarithmic) and Stevens' power function are two prominent models explaining sensory magnitude.
    • The validity of these laws across different visual field sizes and stimulus conditions remains an area of investigation.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To resolve the apparent rivalry between Fechner's law and Stevens' power function in visual perception.
    • To objectively measure visual system excitation using pupil reaction across threshold and suprathreshold regions.
    • To investigate how visual field size influences the course of sensory thresholds and suprathreshold perception.

    Main Methods:

    • Pupil reaction was employed as an objective measure of visual system excitation.
    • Experiments covered both the absolute threshold and suprathreshold regions of visual perception.
    • Visual stimuli were presented across varying field areas (0.5, 5, and 30 degrees) with controlled adaptation light.

    Main Results:

    • The Weber-law was found valid only for large visual fields (30 degrees).
    • For smaller fields, the visual threshold followed a power function, with exponents of 0.5 (0.5-degree fields) and 0.75 (5-degree fields).
    • Fechner's hypothesis accurately described pupil constriction at threshold, supporting Stevens' power functions for suprathreshold perception, while Fechner's law was limited to large fields.

    Conclusions:

    • The study reconciles Fechner's law and Stevens' power function by demonstrating their context-dependent validity.
    • Visual field size is a critical factor determining which psychophysical law best describes sensory perception.
    • The findings provide a more nuanced understanding of the visual system's response to varying stimuli and field sizes.

    Related Experiment Videos