The Appropriateness of Contrast Metric for Reaction Times

Abstract

We analyzed different contrast metrics to scale the stimulus strength for suprathreshold reaction times (RTs) when it is modulated along an achromatic channel (L þ M) and both chromatic channels L/M and S/(L þ M) considering increments and decrements along these axes. RTs were examined as a function of the Weber luminance contrast; spatial luminance ratio (SRL) and, in terms of threshold units. The results show that when there is only luminance decreasing or increasing, RTs cluster around a single RT/luminance contrast function regardless the stimulus sign and our results indicate that both SRL, Weber luminance contrast or threshold units, equate RT values. While, if the stimulus is modulated along an isoluminant plane, the appropriate contrast is Weber (RMS) or SRL for stimuli modulated along L/M axis and for stimuli modulated along S/ L þ M, showing an asymmetry between S-cone decrements and increments in L/M cone pathway. Threshold units are not appropriate, showing inconsistencies: The stimulus with chromatic direction equal to 90º appears as the most informative with a maximum gain. Even more so, the shared contrast gain grows as the size of the stimulus decreases.