Orientation-specific adaptation: effects of checkerboards on the detectability of gratings

The predictive values of Fourier analysis and local-feature analysis of spatial stimuli were compared in an orientation-specific adaptation experiment. Observers adapted to checkerboard patterns, which have fundamental Fourier components oriented 45 degrees away from the edges. Detection of gratings was found to be maximally impaired when fundamental Fourier components of adaptation and test patterns were in the same orientation and minimal when edges were aligned. The orientation spread and amount of adaptation effect were similar to that found in previous experiments which employed sinusoids as adaptation and test stimuli.