Perceived brightness as a function of flash duration in the peripheral visual field

Abstract

Using a method of direct magnitude estimation, perceived brightness was measured in the dark-adapted eye with brief flashes of varying duration (1-1,000 msec), size (16'-116'), and retinal loci (0°-60°) for the lower photopic luminance levels covering the range between 8.60 and 86 cd/m 2 in steps of .5 log units. Perceived brightness increased as a function of flash duration as well as luminance up to approximately 100 msec, then remained constant above 100 msec. The enhancement of brightness at about a 50-msec flash duration has been observed not in the fovea but in the periphery. Target size also has been found to be effective on brightness. © 1977 Psychonomic Society, Inc.