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Perceptual Support for Temporal Normalization Across Hundreds of Milliseconds
Michael L Epstein1, Sophie Kovacevich1, Rachel N Denison1
1Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Boston University.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|September 15, 2025
Summary
Perceptual interference between stimuli occurs over time due to temporal normalization. This study shows contrast affects sensitivity to sequential visual stimuli, impacting orientation precision and causing errors.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Visual Perception
Background:
- Perception across time is limited by phenomena like masking and temporal crowding.
- The causes of suppressive temporal interactions between sequential stimuli are unclear.
- Temporal normalization, a divisive suppression mechanism, is proposed but behaviorally untested.
Purpose of the Study:
- To behaviorally test the contrast-dependent suppression prediction of temporal normalization.
- To investigate suppressive temporal interactions in visual perception.
Main Methods:
- Three experiments were conducted manipulating stimulus contrasts.
- Sequential gratings were presented 250 ms apart.
- Perceptual sensitivity to target orientation was measured.
Main Results:
- Perceptual sensitivity decreased when a high-contrast non-target preceded or followed a target.
- Reduced sensitivity resulted from decreased orientation precision.
- Increased "swapping" errors were observed.
Conclusions:
- Results provide perceptual support for temporal normalization across hundreds of milliseconds.
- Temporal normalization offers a framework for understanding perceptual limits over time.
- Contrast-dependent suppression is a key feature of temporal normalization.
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