The structure of the visual field

Abstract

The central assumption made in these predictions is that apparent brightness is directly related to the firing frequency of ganglion cells or, more generally, that subjective intensity is coded in firing frequency. This view was questioned at the Work Session by MacKay, who suggested that more central evaluation mechanisms could also provide constancy of brightness even though firing rates varied over the field (MacKay, 1963). Poppel insisted that one should look first at the retinal level where testable predictions have been formulated. If these predictions prove to be incorrect, then certainly other mechanisms responsible for constancy of brightness throughout the visual field will have to be envisaged.