A comparison of local and remote masking on tactile pulse detection using different masking patterns

Forward and backward masking functions were obtained for the detection of a 2-msec. tactile "test" pulse using two different masking patterns (5- or 10-pulse sequences) under conditions of both local and remote masking. Twelve ISIs (interval between "test" pulse and onset of the masking sequence) ranging from 10 to 76 msec. were used. A two-interval forced-choice (2-IFC) procedure was used in which observers were presented with two successive trains of tactile pulses, one having the "test" pulse at varying intervals prior (backward masking) to or after (forward masking) the masking sequence and one train having only a masking sequence. Observers were asked to report in which train of pulses they detected the "test" pulse. With local masking, i.e., when "test" pulse and masking sequence were presented to the same locus, there was substantially more forward than backward masking, and the 10-pulse sequence resulted in consistently greater amounts of masking than the 5-pulse mask. When the "test" pulse and masking sequence were delivered to different loci, i.e., the remote masking, the results were much less systematic. The data suggest that both peripheral and central factors contribute to the obtained masking functions and that both integration and interruption are producing the masking interference.